Woman arrested: Qatar's World Cup police as the long arm of the mullahs?

Protest against Iranian regime

Woman arrested: Qatar's World Cup police as the long arm of the mullahs?

DOHA - Numerous supporters of the Iranian national team took the game against England (2:6) at the World Cup in Qatar as an occasion for protest. The TV viewers didn't notice much of it. The official Fifa cameras did not show the actions against the mullahs' regime. Only the silence of the players during the anthem of the Islamic Republic caused a stir - a silent affront to those in power.

It was only during the night that it became known that the Qatari police arrested at least one woman who, to the applause of the bystanders, had displayed an older Persian flag. Instead of the white "Allahu Akbar" lettering and today's national emblem in the middle of the green, white and red flag with four crescent moons and a sword, which symbolize Allah, she presented the cloth with a lion carrying a sword. This emblem was valid from 1979 to 1980 - in the transition period between the Shah and the final takeover of the Shiites.

Qatar police threatens arrest

The officials of the host country are said to have held the woman for about an hour, reports the London journalist Pouria Zeraati. The reporter tweeted a video of the female fan surrounded by police officers. Then the woman was released. According to Zeraati, however, the police threatened to arrest her next time. The accusation by Iranian viewers against the security forces: The officials of the Islamic Emirate acted as the long arm of the mullah regime.

Other fans also showed the former Iranian flag. Several spectators held up signs that read "Woman Life Freedom" and "Free Iran." Most female Iranian fans did not wear headscarves. In Iran, women are generally not allowed in the stadium. There was only one exception for a league game in August.

Other spectators also showed the former Iranian flag

In Iran, there have been massive uprisings in many cities for months against the Islamic regime, which has hit back with great severity and firearms and imposed death sentences. The trigger was the death of a young woman in police custody who is said to have worn her hijab improperly.