Iran Files Criminal Case Against Kish Marathon Organizers Over Mandatory Hijab Violations

Criminal Case Filed Following Kish Marathon

Iranian authorities have filed a criminal case against the organizers of the sixth Kish Marathon, held on Friday, December 5, 2025, on Kish Island. The legal action comes after images circulated online showing women participating in the race without observing the country's mandatory hijab law. The judiciary's official news outlet, Mizan Online, quoted the local prosecutor stating that the event 'violated public decency'.

The marathon, which attracted over 5,000 participants in separate men's and women's heats, took place on the Persian Gulf resort island, a free trade zone where hijab enforcement has historically been less strict to attract tourism.

Organizers Arrested and Charged

In connection with the case, two main organizers of the competition have been arrested and charged. One individual is an official with the Kish Free Zone Organization, and the other represents the private company responsible for organizing the race. Both have been placed under bail orders, and judicial supervision measures have been imposed. These measures include barring the state official from public employment and prohibiting the private organizer from managing or holding future sports events.

Authorities indicated that the organizers had received 'previous warnings regarding the need to comply with the country's current laws and regulations, as well as religious, customary, and professional principles'. The Iran's Athletics Federation had also reportedly opposed the event beforehand due to concerns over 'legal and religious requirements'. The judiciary emphasized that 'treatment of violators must be decisive, deterrent, and without leniency'.

Context of Mandatory Hijab Laws in Iran

The mandatory hijab has been a legal requirement for women in Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. However, adherence to these rules has become increasingly sporadic, particularly following the widespread protests in 2022 that erupted after the death of Mahsa Amini, who was arrested for an alleged dress-code violation.

The incident on Kish Island occurs amidst ongoing debates within Iran regarding the enforcement of hijab laws. Earlier this week, a majority of lawmakers accused the judiciary of failing to uphold the law, prompting Chief Justice Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei to call for stricter enforcement. While a new 'Chastity and Hijab Law' passed by parliament proposes harsher penalties for violations, the current government under President Masoud Pezeshkian has reportedly refused to ratify it, fearing a resurgence of mass protests. This event echoes a similar situation in May 2023, when the head of Iran's athletics federation resigned after women participated without headscarves in a sporting event in Shiraz.