Chess Player Risking Life by Not Wearing Hijab... Likely to Leave Iran Eventually

Competing in International Chess Tournament Without Wearing Hijab
"Serious Retaliation Threats from Iranian Government"

A chess player from Iran who gained worldwide attention for participating in an international competition without wearing a hijab is reportedly considering migrating to Spain.

On the 29th (local time), the British media outlet The Guardian reported, "Iranian chess player Sara Kadem appears likely to migrate and settle in Spain after her appearance in an international tournament without wearing a hijab spread worldwide." It added, "Kadem will move to a small town in Spain with her husband and two children."

Iranian chess player Sara Khadem

The Kadem couple currently own an apartment in Spain, but it is not known whether they have requested political asylum or plan to do so in the future. The media explained, "Kadem is the most recent female athlete to participate in a competition without wearing a hijab since the anti-government protests began last September."

Spanish media El Pa?s also cited a representative of Kadem, stating that the reason she is not returning to Iran is "because she faces the possibility of severe retaliation from the Iranian regime for not wearing a hijab."

Earlier, on the 28th, Kadem participated in the International Chess Federation (FIDE) 'World Rapid & Blitz Chess Championship' held in Almaty, Kazakhstan, without wearing a hijab. Born in 1997, she is ranked 804th in the world and holds the 10th position in Iran. Foreign media speculated that Kadem expressed support for the anti-government protests that began with the hijab suspicious death incident.

Meanwhile, in Iran, anti-government protests have continued for over 100 days following the suspicious death of Mahsa Amini (22), a female university student who was arrested by the police for not properly wearing a hijab last September. These protests are the longest-running since the Islamic Revolution in 1979.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.