Iranian Volleyball-Woman Released from Prison
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Jumat, 19 Oktober 2018 18:41 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Tehran - British-Iranian Ghoncheh Ghavami, 26, was freed from prison because of health problems. She staged hunger strikes against her detention as a protest.
Iranian security officials detained Ghoncheh after watching a volleyball match between Iran and Italy on June 20, 2014.
Ghoncheh's brother, Iman Ghavami, said that her release was unexpected. Her parents kept pleading for her release for medical reasons after her hunger strike. Thousands of people have signed a petition calling for her release.
"Everyone is happy - my parents and my sister. There are many possibilities, we're not really sure what's going to happen, but we hope for the best outcome,” said Iman.
The district attorney charged her with spreading anti-regime propaganda. However, there are no further evidence to back up the claims. Iran's Sharq newspaper said on its Twitter account that she was released after paying bail amounting to US$38,000.
Iran banned women from men's volleyball games in 2012 with an argument that women need protection from the lewd behavior of male fans.
Although she has been released, Ghonceh is still banned from overseas travel for two years.
BBC | MARIA RITA