Iranian authorities have seized property belonging to former football star Ali Karimi in Alborz province, the latest in a wave of asset confiscations targeting prominent critics of the Islamic Republic.
Investigators identified two commercial spaces and four apartments registered in the name of Havash Karimi, Ali Karimi's son, using what the judiciary described as legal and intelligence checks. A court ordered the properties transferred 'in favor of the public'.
This is not the first time Karimi's assets have been targeted. After he expressed support for the Women, Life, Freedom movement in 2022, authorities temporarily sealed his residence. Pressure intensified after he joined the Charter of Solidarity for the Organisation of Freedom in Iran, a coalition led by Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi.
Born in Karaj in 1978, Karimi is widely regarded as the best Iranian footballer of all time. Known as the 'Wizard of Asia' and 'Asian Maradona,' he played in the UAE before joining Schalke 04 and Bayern Munich, competing in the UEFA Champions League. The Asian Football Confederation named Karimi one of the defining figures of Asian football history in 2017.
Karimi has previously responded to threats against his property by saying, 'My assets are sacrificed for the Iranian people.' He has not yet publicly commented on the latest seizures.