An Iranian judo world champion says he is afraid to return home after he disobeyed government orders to withdraw from a tournament to avoid competing against an Israeli.
An Iranian team coach said that he was called by Iran's Deputy Sports Minister Davar Zani during the world championships in Tokyo, who requested that Saeid Mollaei was withdrawn from the event to avoid the prospect of him facing Israel's Sagi Muki later in the tournament.
According to an article published on the International Judo Federation's website, the minister allegedly threatened the athlete's family and Mollaei reportedly collapsed and burst into tears after the call.
However, he continued to compete in the 81 kilogram category, defeating Russian competitor Khasan Khalmurzaev and Canadian Antoine Valois-Fortier to head to the semifinals, before losing to Belgium's Matthias Casse.
Israeli athlete Muki later beat Casse to win the gold medal.
Mollaei claims that the Iranian Olympic Committee President Reza Salehi Amiri called before his semi-final match and said that homeland security were at his parent’s house, which he said was verified by friends who were nearby.
No he says he fears for his life and for his family, and feels he is unable to return to Iran.
"I am an athlete, not a politician nor been ever involved in politics," he said.
"I need help. Even if the authorities of my country told me that I can go back without any problems, I am afraid. I am afraid of what might happen to my family and to myself."
Media reports suggest that Mollaei has since sought asylum in Germany.
Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
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Friday Sassuolo v Torino (Kick-off 10.45pm UAE)
Saturday Atalanta v Sampdoria (5pm),
Genoa v Inter Milan (8pm),
Lazio v Bologna (10.45pm)
Sunday Cagliari v Crotone (3.30pm)
Benevento v Napoli (6pm)
Parma v Spezia (6pm)
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Juventus v Hellas Verona (11.45pm)
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- Three wins in past 10 starts
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- sadness
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- impaired judgement
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- irregular sleep patterns
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Acknowledge how you are feeling by listening to your warning signs. Set boundaries and learn to say ‘no’
Do activities that you want to do as well as things you have to do
Undertake at least 30 minutes of exercise per day. It releases an abundance of feel-good hormones
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Sept 18: India v Qualifier (Dubai)
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Sept 21: Group A Winner v Group B Runner-up (Dubai)
Sept 21: Group B Winner v Group A Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
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Company profile
Name: Tratok Portal
Founded: 2017
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Size: 36 employees
Funding: Privately funded
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- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
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- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
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Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
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Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
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Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
