DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — An outspoken Iranian lawyer who has publicly criticized how the government handled the 2022 protests over the death of Mahsa Amini has been arrested, state media reported Sunday.
The unrest followed the death of the 22-year-old detained by the police for allegedly not properly wearing her mandatory hijab. The massive protests quickly escalated into calls to overthrow Iran’s four-decade Islamic theocracy.
The judiciary’s Mizan news agency said Sunday that Mohsen Borhani had been previously sentenced but did not give further details on his case or jail time.
Borhani, also a university professor, became popular on social media for his critical views of the Iranian government during the 2022 demonstrations that shook the Islamic Republic and sparked a security crackdown that killed more than 500 people and saw over 22,000 detained. U.N. investigators said Iran was responsible for the physical violence that led to Amini's death.
The lawyer's arrest came a day after reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian was elected to lead the country.
Pezeshkian promised to ease enforcement of the country’s mandatory headscarf law and reach out to the West after years of sanctions and protests squeezing the Islamic Republic.
Iranian lawyer Mohsen Borhani speaks during a campaign rally of the reformist candidate for the presidential election Masoud Pezeshkian, in Tehran, Iran, Wednesday, July 3, 2024. Borhani, an outspoken lawyer who has publicly criticized how the government handled the 2022 protests has been arrested, state media reported Sunday. The arrest came a day after reformist president Masoud Pezeshkian was elected to lead the country. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
TORONTO (AP) — Lionel Messi played off the bench for Inter Miami on Saturday at Toronto, the next-to-last contest of the regular season for the MLS Supporters Shield winners.
Messi, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, came on as a reserve in the 61st minute, as did fellow would-be starter Sergio Busquets.
Also out of the starting 11 for Inter Miami on Saturday were Jordi Alba, Luis Suarez and goalkeeper Drake Callender.
Inter Miami coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino indicated Friday that Messi's workload would be a consideration now that the team has wrapped up the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage for the entirety of the MLS Cup playoffs. Inter Miami will play its first playoff match at home on Oct. 25.
Messi is set to report to Argentina's national team in the coming days for World Cup qualifying matches on Oct. 10 and Oct. 15. Those matches, and the travel involved, would figure to put his availability in some doubt for Inter Miami's regular-season finale at home on Oct. 19 against New England.
Oscar Ustari — a teammate of Messi's on the Argentina team that won Olympic gold in 2008 — was in goal against Toronto in Callender's spot, making his debut with the club. Ustari signed with Inter Miami last month.
Inter Miami entered Saturday in position to set the MLS single-season points record with two wins in its final two matches. The club would finish with 74 points in that scenario, one more than the 73 that New England managed in 2021.
Messi entered Saturday with 17 goals in 17 MLS matches this season, including two in the shield-clinching 3-2 win at Columbus on Wednesday.
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Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi looks on from the sidelines before the start of an MLS soccer match against Toronto FC in Toronto Saturday Oct. 5, 2024. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)
Fans watch Inter Miami's Lionel Messi take his place on the bench before the start of an MLS soccer match against Toronto FC in Toronto Saturday Oct. 5, 2024. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)
Fans looks on as Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi, front right, and Luis Suárez make their way to the sidelines before the start of an MLS soccer match against Toronto FC in Toronto Saturday Oct. 5, 2024. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)
Fans looks on as Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi, front right, and Luis Suárez make their way to the sidelines before the start of an MLS soccer match against Toronto FC in Toronto Saturday Oct. 5, 2024. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)
Messi among the Inter Miami regulars not in starting lineup for match at Toronto
Messi among the Inter Miami regulars not in starting lineup for match at Toronto
Inter Miami's Lionel Messi dribbles the ball as Columbus Crew's Alexandru Matan defends during the first half of an MLS soccer match Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
