Sahar Khodayari | |
|---|---|
سحر خدایاری | |
 | |
| Born | c. 1990 |
| Died | 9 September 2019 (aged 28–29) Tehran, Iran |
| Cause of death | Suicide by self-immolation |
| Resting place | Behesht-e Fatemeh, Qom (Iran) |
| Alma mater | BSE (Computer Engineering) BA (English Interpretation)[1] |
| Known for | Protesting Iranian governmental restrictions on women |
| Criminal charge | Attempted entry into male-only Azadi Stadium |
| Criminal penalty | Six months' imprisonment (not confirmed) |
Sahar Khodayari (Persian: سحر خدایاری [sæhær xodɒjɒriː]; c. 1990 – 9 September 2019),[2] also known as the Blue Girl,[a] was an Iranian woman who self-immolated in Tehran to protest the national laws banning females from attending sports events and entering stadiums since the Islamic Revolution. She was a fan of Esteghlal F.C., and in March 2019, she attempted to gain entry at the male-only Azadi Stadium while disguised as a man to watch a match played by the team. On 2 September 2019, she was told by the Islamic Revolutionary Court that she may face a six-month prison sentence. After leaving court, she died by suicide through self-immolation in front of the building,[3][4] succumbing to her injuries a week later. Khodayari's politicized suicide has generated much debate in Iran about the government's restrictions on women.[5]
FIFA, after Iran was chosen to host select qualifier games for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, stated that the Iranian government must allow women into the stadium to see those international football matches. Iran guaranteed such entry for the first time after 40 years, one month after Sahar's death.[6]
- ^ a b "Who is Sahar Khodayari? The Death of the Blue Girl brought up a wave of empathy" (in Persian). BBC. 14 September 2019. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
amnestywas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Safi, Michael (10 September 2019). "Iranian female football fan who self-immolated outside court dies". The Guardian. Associated Press. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 10 September 2019.
- ^ "Iranian football fan dubbed 'Blue Girl' arrested for trying to watch men's game dies week after setting herself on fire". ITV News. Retrieved 10 September 2019.
- ^ "Iran's 'blue girl' dies after setting herself on fire". BBC News. 10 September 2019.
- ^ "Iranian women allowed to watch football at stadium for first time in decades". The Guardian. Agence France-Presse. 9 October 2019.
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