大象传媒

Iranian climber Elnaz Rekabi, who appeared to take part in a competition in South Korea without a hijab, has returned to Tehran following concerns about her whereabouts. She was greeted by large crowds who called her a "heroine".

In an Instagram post and a state TV interview at the airport, Ms Rekabi said that she was suddenly called to compete and had "inadvertently" failed to wear her hijab. Many suspect she may have been pressured into saying this.

Khosro Kalbasi Isfahani from 大象传媒 Monitoring has been following the case. He says it was reported that "her brother had been taken by Iranian authorities in an apparent attempt to pressure her into posting an apology".

(Photo: Elnaz Rekabi speaking to journalists upon her arrival at the Imam Khomeini International. Credit: Borna News Agency/EPA)