Ghavami, who studies at the University of London, has been held at the notorious Evin Prison in Tehran since she attended an FIVB World League match between Iran and Italy at the Azadi Stadium on June 20.

Women are banned from attending volleyball matches in Iran. 

After spending the last week on a hunger strike in protest at her detention, she is due to stand trial tomorrow, although the specific charge she faces is for "propaganda against the regime" rather than directly attending the volleyball match.

"The problem in Iran is very clear and I am against what is happening," President Ary S Graça told insidethegames here. 

"I wrote a letter to the President of Iran [Hassan Rouhani], and asked him to reconsider the situation and to release the girl.

"I have not heard anything back yet, and neither has the IOC who also sent a letter, to the National Olympic Committee of the Islamic Republic of Iran."

Ary S Graça is keen not to criticise cultural practices but is opposed to the Iranian stance ©Getty Images



Graça raised eyebrows earlier this month when he claimed he "would be very pleased to see Iran bid for the [World] Championship in 2018", even though the country's ban on women is against the Olympic Charter.

"I am not against the culture of other countries and I am not against the religion of other countries," he insisted to insidethegames.

"But why would you arrest someone who went to have fun?

"It is very difficult for us to understand that, so I asked him to release her."

A ban on women attending football matches in Iran has been in place since 1979 and was extended to volleyball in 2012.

More than 130 women's rights activists have written to Graça and demanded he protect the right of Iranian women to enter sports stadiums and attend volleyball matches, including Shirin Ebadi, the 2003 Nobel Peace Laureate.

Ghavami's London-based brother, Iman, has also set up an online petition "Bring my sister home; #FreeGhonchehGhavami خواهرم را به خانه برگردانید" to put pressure on Iran and other national Governments in an effort to secure her safe release.

More than 600,000 people have so far signed the petition.

Ghavami has now agreed to end her hunger strike, Iman revealed tonight.

"The lawyer told me that after 12 days Ghoncheh has finally agreed to break her hunger strike but said she will wait to take her first bite when she is with our parents," he said.

"My mother talked to her on the phone today.

"Ghoncheh sounded frail and weak but she is determined to defend her innocence tomorrow.

"We hope for a fair and just hearing."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
October 2014: Exclusive: FIVB urges Iranian President to "reconsider" jailing of woman for attending volleyball match
September 2014: British-Iranian citizen charged with "propaganda against the regime" after attending FIVB volleyball match in Iran
September 2014: Exclusive: FIVB cannot interfere in Iranian ban on women at volleyball, claims President Graça