The Iranian chess star who stoked a controversy by competing in an international event without the mandatory headscarf (hijab) has decided to move to Spain in fear of reprisal from the Islamic regime, according to local media reports.
Earlier this week, Sara Khadem, 25, participated in the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships in Kazakhstan without a hijab, which led the authorities to perceive her action as a show of support for women and anti-regime protesters in her home country.