The Iranian government has confiscated six properties linked to Ali Karimi, the former captain of the national football team, according to an announcement made Monday. The 47-year-old icon, who has voiced support for anti-government protests and the defunct monarchy, is currently living in exile.
Karimi, a former Bayern Munich star nicknamed the ‘Asian Maradona’ for his dribbling skills, has been a vocal critic of the regime on social media. The Mizan news agency, affiliated with the Iranian judiciary, described him as “one of the traitors to the homeland who has been actively supporting the enemy in recent years.” The seized assets include two commercial properties and four residential units. “They have been identified and confiscated by court order for the benefit of the people,” the agency added.
Karimi left Iran in 2022 and was prosecuted in absentia that year after backing protests triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini while in custody. Amini was arrested for allegedly violating strict hijab rules.
In a related development, in April the judiciary reported that authorities had released the assets of Zahra Ghanbari, captain of the Iranian women’s national football team, which were seized after she applied for asylum in Australia.
Ghanbari was one of six players and a coach who sought asylum in Australia in March. However, five of them, including Ghanbari, later changed their minds and returned to Iran. The Iranian men’s national team is scheduled to compete in the World Cup in the United States in June.