Iranian Chess Player Who Removed Hijab Obtains Spanish Citizenship

Spanish authorities announced today, Wednesday, that they have "granted citizenship to Iranian chess player Sara Sadaat Khadem, who moved to live in the country in January after appearing in a competition without a hijab and a warrant was issued for her arrest in Iran." Sara Khadem, 26, told Reuters that she is "not regretting what she did in support of the protests against the religious leadership in Iran." The official newspaper in Spain reported that "the government confirmed the granting of citizenship to Sara Khadem yesterday, Tuesday, taking into account the special circumstances of her case." Sara Khadem appeared without a hijab during her participation in the rapid and blitz chess championships organized by the International Chess Federation, which took place in Kazakhstan in late December. The laws mandating the wearing of the hijab have become a topic of controversy amid the unrest that gripped Iran following the death of young Kurdish-Iranian Mahsa Amini, 22, while in custody of the morality police in mid-September.