An Iranian climber who apologised for competing abroad without a headscarf was forced to do so, a source has told BBC Persian. Elnaz Rekabi, 33, broke Iran’s strict dress code at the contest in South Korea – but later said her headscarf had fallen off “inadvertently”. However, authorities threatened to take her family’s property if she did not make the statement, the source said. Opposition to the mandatory headscarf has fuelled the protests sweeping Iran. Women there are required to cover their hair with a headscarf, or hijab, and their arms and legs with loose clothing. Female athletes must also abide by the dress code when they are officially representing Iran in competitions abroad. A large crowd greeted Ms Rekabi at Tehran airport on Wednesday, calling her a “heroine”. She arrived at about 03:30 (00:00 GMT) without a headscarf, covering her hair with a black baseball cap and hoodie. The next day she met the Iranian sports minister with the same clothes on, which raised suspicion that she had not been home during that time. The source said Ms Rekabi was detained in a room at Iran’s National Olympic Committee building with plainclothes agents present until she met the minister. She is now under “house arrest” but the authorities say she is staying at home because she is in need of rest, the source said.(BBC)…[+]