Iranian judicial authorities are prosecuting former Bayern Munich midfielder and club Ali Karimi for encouraging protest movement in his country following the death of the young woman, Mahsa Amini, after her arrest, according to local media.
Several demonstrations have been witnessed in Iranian cities since the death of 22-year-old Iranian Kurdish woman Amini on September 16, three days after she was arrested in Tehran by the moral police for not adhering to the Islamic dress code.
The Iranian news agency Mehr said that “Ali Karimi, one of the leaders of the recent unrest in the country, is being prosecuted by the judicial authorities because he raised the voice of the enemy and encouraged him”.
Since Amini’s death, Karimi has posted on social media positions in support of the protests in his country and has strongly criticized the death of the young woman, underlining that “nothing can erase this shame”.
The ultra-conservative newspaper Kayhan accused Karimi, who has more than 13 million followers on Instagram, of “leading the riots” and “pumping oil on the fire during the riots”, which led to “the death and martyrdom of young people”.
Before last week’s Friday prayers, a pro-regime group gathered in front of Karimi’s home in eastern Tehran and sang “Death to the organizer of this sedition.”
At least 92 people have been killed since the start of the protests in some Iranian cities, according to the United Nations Human Rights Organization in Iran, while local authorities say the protests have killed 60, including 12 members of the security forces. .
According to local media, Karimi, 43, nicknamed “The Magician”, has been living in the United Arab Emirates for several months.
Karimi was the third most awarded player and fifth highest scorer in the history of the Iranian national team and was chosen as the best player in Asia in 2004. He spent two seasons with Bayern Munich from 2005 to 2007, and also led the popular colors. of Persepolis for three periods.
In 2010 Karimi was expelled from his club for not fasting and for insulting some officials of the Iranian Federation. He was allowed to play again after being fined € 30,000.
