Iran unfreezes assets of women's football captain after asylum request withdrawal

Iranian judicial authorities announced Monday that they have unfrozen the assets of the captain of the women's national football team, Zahra Ghanbari. This decision follows her withdrawal of an asylum application in Australia last month. Ghanbari's name had appeared on a list of individuals labeled "traitors" by Iranian media, whose assets were frozen by court order after the outbreak of war with Israel and the United States on February 28. The judiciary's website, Mizan, stated that the captain's seized assets were released by court order, attributing this measure to "a change in her behavior." Ghanbari was among six players and a staff member who traveled to Australia for the Women's Asian Cup and sought asylum in March. The incident drew criticism in conservative circles in Iran, particularly after the team did not sing the national anthem before their first match. Five of the players, including Ghanbari, later withdrew their asylum requests and returned to Iran, where they participated in a welcoming ceremony in Tehran. Tehran accused Australia of attempting to induce the players to defect. Human rights activists have accused Iranian authorities of pressuring the players' families, including summoning their parents for questioning. Since the war began in late February, Iranian authorities have seized the assets of diaspora members accused of "cooperating" with Israel and the United States. A fragile ceasefire has been in effect since Wednesday. The men's national football