The Iranian judicial authorities are prosecuting the former international midfielder and Bayern Munich club, Ali Karimi, for encouraging the 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 Amini on September 16, three days after she was arrested in Tehran by the morality police for not adhering to the Islamic dress code.
The Iranian Mehr news agency said that “Ali Karimi, one of the leaders of the recent riots in the country, is being prosecuted by the judicial authorities because he raised the voice of the enemy and encouraged it.”
Since Amini’s death, Karimi has posted on social media positions in support of the protests in his country and strongly criticized the death of the young woman, noting that “nothing can erase this shame.”
The ultra-conservative Kayhan newspaper had 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 Friday prayers last week, a pro-regime group gathered in front of Karimi’s house in eastern Tehran and chanted “Death to the organizer of this sedition.”
At least 92 people have been killed since the protests began in some Iranian cities, according to the United Nations Human Rights Organization in Iran, while local authorities say that the protests have killed 60, including 12 members of the security forces.
Karimi, 43, who has been dubbed “The Magician”, has been living for several months in the United Arab Emirates, according to local media.
Karimi was the third most awarded player and the fifth best scorer in the history of the Iranian national team. He was chosen as the best player in Asia in 2004. He spent two seasons with Bayern Munich from 2005 to 2007, and also carried the popular colors of Persepolis for three periods.
In 2010, Karimi was expelled from his club for not fasting and for insulting some Iranian Federation officials. He was allowed to play again after being fined 30,000 euros.