"Don't Agree With Street Protests": Exiled Iran Boxer As Climber Returns

Street protests are not a good strategy for opposing Iran's government, an Iranian female boxer in exile said after climber Elnaz Rekabi returned home to cheering supporters.

An exiled Iranian boxer has said street protests are not a good strategy to oppose the Iranian government, after climber Elnaz Rekabi - who sparked controversy by competing in an international competition without a headscarf - returned home to her jubilant supporters.

Sadaf Khadem became the first Iranian to compete in an official boxing match three years ago in France and had hoped to lead the way in the Islamic Republic.

But she canceled her return home after an arrest warrant was issued against her. The 27-year-old has since settled in western France,

Launching her own clothing brand and receiving business studies.

Khadem said that she is following the controversy surrounding Rakabi, who repeated her statements to the official media that she inadvertently wore without a veil.

"I don't agree with street protests as a strategy because the government in Iran is very strong.

Every day they arrest people and kill people. I fear for their lives.

"I hope it will succeed but I am not very optimistic," Khadem told Reuters on Wednesday, adding that she had called for an "electronic revolution" instead.

"I know that speaking out against the Iranian government is a very dangerous activity. That's why I said nothing for three years,

I feared for the safety of my family."

Khadem said she now believes it is her responsibility to speak out, after Mahsa Amini's death last month while in the custody of the Islamic Republic's morality police.

Amini was arrested for "improper clothing" and her death sparked protests across the country in which women took off and burned their headscarves.

The protests have grown into one of the most emboldened challenges to the Islamic Republic since the 1979 revolution, although the unrest does not appear to be close to toppling the regime.

So Rikabe's status has received increased attention, but Khadem said her status as a national player likely protects her.

Khadem said the Iranian players had to live with extra weight on their shoulders.

BY
ProBuzzFeed