Two prominent regime critics have been released on bail in Iran as the government tries to defuse a national protest movement that has rallied for radical reform, and in some cases regime change, since mid-September.
Voria Ghafouri, an Iranian-Kurd who played for Iran’s national team between 2015 and 2019, and Hossein Ronaghi, a prominent human rights activist, were both jailed for supporting protests that followed the death of Mahsa Amini, 22, after being beaten by police.
Kurdish-Iranian Amimi had been accused of violating the country’s strict dress code for women, sparking protests in the Kurdish region of Iran.
Demonstrators called for greater rights for women but the street protests soon became a movement against the country’s 40 years of theocratic rule, while calling for better living standards amid an ongoing economic crisis.
At least 400 people have been killed in the unrest, mostly protestors but also some security forces, including militiamen from the notorious Basij force, an internal security organisation, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a branch of the armed forces.
The bloody state crackdown has led to increasing international criticism. Earlier this month, Europe and the US said they would co-ordinate to sanction Iranians involved in human rights abuses, amid a rising death toll and fears that many of the estimated 14,000 people detained could face the death penalty.
Within Iran, the niece of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei released a video message calling on foreign governments to cut all ties with Tehran following the crackdown.
A video of a statement by Farideh Moradkhani, an engineer whose late father was a prominent opposition figure married to Ayatollah Khamenei's sister, was being widely shared online after what activist news agency HRANA said was her arrest on November 23.
"O free people, be with us and tell your governments to stop supporting this murderous and child-killing regime," Ms Moradkhani said in the video.
Rights activists say dozens of children have died in the protests after demonstrations and security crackdowns spread to schools.
"This regime is not loyal to any of its religious principles and does not know any rules except force and maintaining power," she said.
Hunger strike
Mr Ronaghi was detained shortly after the protests began, and concern had been growing about his health after he mounted a hunger strike lasting two months.
"Voria Ghafouri and Hossein Ronaghi were released on bail," Iran's Fars news agency said on its social media accounts.
The Iranian newspaper Shargh also said that Mr Ghafouri had been released following his arrest during a training session on Thursday.
"Hossein was released tonight on bail to undergo treatment," Mr Ronaghi's brother Hassan wrote on Twitter.
Their father Ahmad posted a picture of Mr Ronaghi in hospital, saying he had been released after a hunger strike that lasted 64 days.
Among others detained are dozens of prominent journalists, cultural figures, lawyers and sportspeople.
Mr Ghafouri, an outspoken figure who played 28 times for Iran up until 2019, was arrested after a club training session over accusations that he spread "propaganda" against the government, Fars said on Thursday.
Originally from the Kurdish-populated city of Sanandaj in western Iran, Mr Ghafouri had been particularly critical of the crackdown in Kurdish-populated areas of western Iran where activists say dozens have been killed in the last 10 days.
Mr Ronaghi, 37, a contributor to The Wall Street Journal, has for years been one of the most fearless critics of the government still living in the country.
Mr Ronaghi was taken to Evin prison after his arrest on September 24.
His family had said he risks dying due to a kidney condition.
Other prominent figures remain in detention in the crackdown on the protests, which are seen as the biggest challenge to the country’s theocracy since the 1979 revolution ousted the rule of the Shah dynasty.
They include the prominent dissidents Arash Sadeghi and Majid Tavakoli as well as journalists Niloofar Hamedi and Elahe Mohammadi who helped expose the Amini case.
Renowned Iranian film-makers Jafar Panahi and Mohammad Rasoulof were detained this year before the current protests began.
Company profile
Company name: Nestrom
Started: 2017
Co-founders: Yousef Wadi, Kanaan Manasrah and Shadi Shalabi
Based: Jordan
Sector: Technology
Initial investment: Close to $100,000
Investors: Propeller, 500 Startups, Wamda Capital, Agrimatico, Techstars and some angel investors
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League, semi-final result:
Liverpool 4-0 Barcelona
Liverpool win 4-3 on aggregate
Champions Legaue final: June 1, Madrid
Bert van Marwijk factfile
Born: May 19 1952
Place of birth: Deventer, Netherlands
Playing position: Midfielder
Teams managed:
1998-2000 Fortuna Sittard
2000-2004 Feyenoord
2004-2006 Borussia Dortmund
2007-2008 Feyenoord
2008-2012 Netherlands
2013-2014 Hamburg
2015-2017 Saudi Arabia
2018 Australia
Major honours (manager):
2001/02 Uefa Cup, Feyenoord
2007/08 KNVB Cup, Feyenoord
World Cup runner-up, Netherlands
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
Saturday
Borussia Dortmund v Eintracht Frankfurt (5.30pm kick-off UAE)
Bayer Leverkusen v Schalke (5.30pm)
Wolfsburg v Cologne (5.30pm)
Mainz v Arminia Bielefeld (5.30pm)
Augsburg v Hoffenheim (5.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Bayern Munich (8.30pm)
Borussia Monchengladbach v Freiburg (10.30pm)
Sunday
VfB Stuttgart v Werder Bremen (5.30pm)
Union Berlin v Hertha Berlin (8pm)
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
The specs: 2019 Mini Cooper
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Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
The specs
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Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
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GAC GS8 Specs
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New UK refugee system
- A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
- Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
- A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
- To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
- Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
- Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Expert input
If you had all the money in the world, what’s the one sneaker you would buy or create?
“There are a few shoes that have ‘grail’ status for me. But the one I have always wanted is the Nike x Patta x Parra Air Max 1 - Cherrywood. To get a pair in my size brand new is would cost me between Dh8,000 and Dh 10,000.” Jack Brett
“If I had all the money, I would approach Nike and ask them to do my own Air Force 1, that’s one of my dreams.” Yaseen Benchouche
“There’s nothing out there yet that I’d pay an insane amount for, but I’d love to create my own shoe with Tinker Hatfield and Jordan.” Joshua Cox
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
'I Want You Back'
Director:Jason Orley
Stars:Jenny Slate, Charlie Day
Rating:4/5
