"Evil f**ks!" - Martina Navratilova lashes out at 'sick men' over Iran's harsh new hijab law targeting women

Martina Navratilova recently condemned Iran's new hijab law, which permits execution for those accused of promoting "unveiling" or "improper attire." A long-time advocate for women's rights and social causes, Navratilova has consistently used her platform to speak out on such issues.

Iran's strict laws governing women's attire, known as the Hijab and Chastity law, have faced increasing scrutiny. The law defines various forms of "improper" hijab, with penalties varying based on the type of violation. It also imposes strict restrictions on women, prohibiting tight clothing or attire that exposes any part of the body below the neck, above the ankles, or the forearms.

In a lengthy statement on X, Iranian journalist and activist Masih Alinejad condemned the country’s new hijab law. She highlighted that flogging and imprisonment will remain punishments for defying the forced hijab rules. She also emphasized that these penalties disproportionately target women and the LGBTQ+ community.

She also wrote:

"This is not a law; it is a tool of terror, a deliberate, calculated weapon to crush women, silence voices, and obliterate the fight for equality. The regime, desperate to maintain control, wields fear and violence against its own people, knowing it is losing its grip on power."

18-time Major champion Martina Navratilova later reacted to the update, lashing out at the government and the "sick men" for imposing a harsh law for women.

"What sick men these guys must be to be doing this. Evil f***s!"

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Martina Navratilova criticized Iran over the horrific case of Roya Heshmati

Navratilova at the 2023 WTA Finals (Image Source: Getty)

In January, Martina Navratilova voiced her outrage over the harrowing case of Roya Heshmati, an Iranian woman who was subjected to 74 lashes for refusing to wear a hijab.

In April 2023, Kurdish-Iranian activist Heshmati was arrested for posting a photo of herself without a hijab on social media and faced several charges, including "propaganda against the regime."

The activist was initially sentenced to 13 years and nine months in prison, a fine, and 148 lashes, though the fine and lashes were later reduced to 74.

Iranian journalist Masih Alinejad later shared this update on X.

"She received 74 lashes for the crime of posting a photo of herself without hjiab on her social media. If you don't call such a regime, gender apartheid, then what do you call it? Roya wasn’t broken, instead she even started to sing for #WomanLifeFreedom while she was flogged. Yes, Iranian women are wounded but unbowed. Be our voice," she wrote.

Martina Navratilova subsequently condemned the treatment of Heshmati, stating:

"Barbaric. The men making and most of all enforcing these barbaric rules are animals.

In addition, the tennis legend has been a vocal advocate for excluding transgender athletes from women’s sports and safeguarding women-only spaces.