DUBAI: Tehran has charged Iranian international footballer Ali Karimi in absentia for his support of the recent anti-government protests taking place in various parts of the country.The Dubai-based footballer, who was a former player at German sports club Bayern Munich, has allegedly been under pressure by Iranian security forces in recent days over his posts on social media, reported Radio Farda.This comes after people took to the country’s streets in recent weeks, fanned by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini after being arrested by morality police for failing to ‘properly wear’ the hijab. Amini was rushed to the hospital shortly after her arrest and died three days later.Karimi, widely regarded as one of the greatest Iranian players of all time, condemned the young woman’s death by supporting protesters and urged security forces to avoid ‘innocent blood to be shed.’Mehr News Agency has reportedly said that the Iranian footballer has been charged with unlawful ‘assembly and collusion with the intention of acting against national security’, wrote Radio Farda.The football legend, once described as the Asian Maradona, was one of the first celebrities to condemn the death of Mahsa Amini, added Radio Farda.The young woman’s death sparked a wave of protests across Iran despite the government warning of harsh crackdowns.Videos posted on social media show demonstrations taking place in several cities across the country and around the world in support of the cause.In one of the videos, protesters in the Iranian capital Tehran are seen gathering on Shariati Street with many women blocking it completely.