Several Iranian celebrities, including soccer star Ali Daei, have been interrogated and had their passports confiscated by the authorities after showing support for anti-government protests sweeping the country.
Unrest has swept Iran following the September 16 death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who died after being taken into custody for allegedly wearing a hijab improperly.
Daei, a former star in Germany's Bundesliga soccer league and head coach of the Iranian national soccer team, had his passport revoked over his call last month for the government to "solve the problems of the Iranian people rather than using repression, violence, and arrests," his brother said on October 10.
"The way Ali was treated was shameful," he said.
Daei played for such famed clubs as Bayern Munich and Hertha Berlin, as well as having made 149 appearances for the Iranian national team.
Hertha Berlin issued a statement on October 9 in support of its former star.
"We are dismayed looking at the current situation in Iran," the team said in a tweet.
"Our former player Ali Daei is no longer permitted to leave the country because he has come out in favour of women's rights. Solidarity with all Herthaners and women in Iran who are so bravely fighting for their rights."
Noted Iranian actor Hamid Farrokhnejad said in a story on his Instagram page on October 9 that he had undergone hours of interrogation and pressure from security officials because of his support for the people's protests.
"I was summoned twice, interrogated for 10 hours and banned from leaving the country to prove to me that I was wrong when I said that even a peaceful protest is not possible in this country," Farrokhnejad said.
The semi-official Ilna news agency reported that the passports of famed Iranian singer Homayoun Shajarian and Sahar Dolatshahi, an actress, were confiscated on October 8 after the pair returned from a concert tour in Australia.