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Sara Khadem, born in 1997, took part in last week's FIDE World
Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships in Almaty without the hijab
- a headscarf mandatory under Iran's strict dress codes.
The source, who did not want to be named due to the sensitivity
of the matter, said Khadem subsequently received multiple phone
calls in which individuals warned her against returning home
after the tournament, while others said she should come back,
promising to "solve her problem".
The source also said Khadem's relatives and parents, who are in
Iran, had also received threats, without giving further details.
Iran's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request
for comment on the case.
Khadem, who is also known as Sarasadat Khademalsharieh, arrived
in Spain on Tuesday, the source said.
She has not responded to Reuters request for comment. Newspapers
including Le Figaro and El Pais reported last week that Khadem
would not be returning to Iran and moving to Spain.
The phone calls led to organisers deciding to provide security
with the cooperation of Kazakh police, resulting in four
bodyguards being stationed outside Khadem's hotel room, the
source said.
Iran has been swept by demonstrations against the country's
clerical leadership since mid-September, when 22-year-old
Iranian Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini died in the custody of
morality police who detained her for "inappropriate attire."
Laws enforcing mandatory hijab wearing have become a flashpoint
during the unrest, with a string of sportswomen competing
overseas appearing without their headscarves in public.
Khadem is ranked 804 in the world, according to the
International Chess Federation website. The website for the Dec.
25-30 event listed her as a participant in both the Rapid and
Blitz competitions.
The protests mark one of the boldest challenges to Iran's
leadership since its 1979 revolution and have drawn in Iranians
from all walks of life.
Women have played a prominent role, removing and in some cases
burning headscarves, while protesters have taken heart from what
they have seen as shows of support from both female and male
Iranian athletes.
(This story has been refiled to remove duplicate paragraphs.)
(Writing by Michael Georgy; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky)
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