The Guardian:

Judicial authorities in Iran have arrested two organisers of a marathon held on an island off the country’s southern coast after images emerged showing women taking part in the race without hijabs.

The arrests on Saturday come as the authorities face increasing criticism from ultraconservatives who accuse them of inadequate efforts to enforce a mandatory headscarf law for women amid fears of growing western influence on the Islamic republic.

Online images of the marathon on Friday, which took place on Kish Island and attracted about 5,000 participants, showed a number of women competing without headscarves.

“Two of the main organisers of the competition were arrested on warrants,” the judiciary’s Mizan news website reported on Saturday. “One of those arrested is an official in the Kish free zone, and the other works for the private company that organised the race,” it added.

The judiciary said a criminal case had been opened against the organisers of the race.

“Despite previous warnings regarding the need to comply with the country’s current laws and regulations, as well as religious, customary and professional principles … the event was held in a way that violated public decency,” the local prosecutor was quoted as saying in Mizan.

“Considering the violations that occurred and based on the laws and regulations, a criminal case has been filed against the officials and agents organising this event.”

Go to link