The 26-year-old fled to Spain along with her household after competing in a match with out sporting a compulsory veil.
Sara Khadem, the Iranian chess participant who fled to Spain after competing in a global match with out sporting a compulsory hijab in solidarity with the mass protests again residence, has been granted Spanish nationality, based on a authorities minister.
“In response to the distinctive circumstances regarding Mrs Sarasadat Khademalsharieh, I’ve simply granted her Spanish nationality,” Justice Minister Pilar Llop was quoted within the nation’s Official Journal of the State (BOE) as saying on Wednesday. He used Khadem’s full identify.
A 26-year-old chess grandmaster, Khadem participated in a World Cup occasion in Kazakhstan in December 2022, with out sporting the headband, which is obligatory for ladies in Iran.
As she defined in an interview with the AFP information company in February, she did so in assist of the protest motion that erupted in Iran following the dying in police custody of Mahsa Amini in September final 12 months.
Amini, 22, had been arrested by Tehran morality police for an alleged breach of the nation’s strict gown code for ladies.
A relative warned Khadem that she could be arrested if she returned to Iran.
She determined to journey to Spain in January along with her husband, movie director Ardeshir Ahmadi, and their 10-month-old son Sam.
They obtained residency in Spain by a “golden visa” scheme after investing a minimum of 500,000 euros ($556,000) in property.
![Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez meets with Iranian chess player Sara Khadem in Madrid, Spain](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/2023-01-25T190507Z_992324045_RC2KXY9HDP7K_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-WOMEN-CHESS-SPAIN-1690447915.jpg?w=770&resize=770%2C770)
In January, she met Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, with whom she performed a recreation of chess.
“How a lot I’ve discovered as we speak from a girl who evokes me,” Sanchez stated on social media after internet hosting Khadem at his official residence, the Moncloa Palace.
“All my assist to ladies athletes. Your instance contributes to a greater world,” he added.
Iranian feminine athletes are required to abide by the Islamic republic’s strict gown code for ladies, primarily by overlaying their heads, when representing their nation at worldwide occasions.
She had stated she began considering of transferring overseas after the delivery of her son.
“I began to understand dwelling in a spot the place Sam may exit within the streets and play with out us worrying, and lots of issues like that. Spain emerged as the best choice, considering of Sam,” she stated.
Khadem is ranked 771st on this planet, based on the Worldwide Chess Federation’s web site, and ninth in Iran.