Iran releases Spain World Cup player who had been detained for more than a year outside

Football fan Santiago had left the Madrid area heading to Qatar on foot in January 2022 to attend the FIFA World Cup, which began on November 20 of that year. His family lost contact with him a few weeks before the start of the World Cup.

He had indicated in his last message on Instagram on October 1, 2022 – as shown below – that he was in a village in northern Iraq and about to enter Iran.

The Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs subsequently informed his family of his arrest in Iran. The Spaniard was reportedly arrested after visiting the grave of young woman Mahsa Amini, who was arrested by the Vice Squad in the fall of 2022 for allegedly not wearing her hijab properly. Amini fell into a coma and died. Her death sparked the largest protest demonstrations in decades. Since then, many women have ignored the obligation to wear the hijab.

Santiago's family reacted happily to Santiago's release on Sunday. This was reported by the Spanish daily newspaper El Pais. The family told the newspaper that they had been anticipating his release since August. Santiago's mother added that they have spoken to Santiago several times and know that he is in good health, although they have not yet received confirmation of his release from the Spanish authorities.