Iranian state media reported that the death penalty imposed on former national team wrestler Navid Afkari had been carried out for the murder of a police officer during anti-government protests in 2018.
His case provoked outrage in the world. Among other things, US President Donald Trump also called on Iran to save the life of the 27-year-old athlete.
Afkari was executed “this morning after carrying out legal procedures and at the urging of the victim’s family,” the AFP agency quoted a statement from the prosecutor general of Fars province.
Afkari’s lawyer wrote on Twitter that a meeting with the victim’s family was to take place only on Sunday for a “request for forgiveness” that would make it possible to avoid serving a capital punishment.
Afkari was accused of stabbing a member of the security forces during anti-government protests in the city of Shiraz. According to his lawyer, there is no evidence of his guilt, he himself, according to his family and activists, claimed that he was forced to confess by torture. Together with Navid Afkari, his two brothers were sentenced to take part in a demonstration, one to 54 and the other to 27 years in prison.
Many activists and wrestlers from around the world, including UFC leader Dany White, have organized a petition to save Afkari’s life, signed by more than 10,000 people.
“We have joined the world and are outraged at the death sentence of the Iranian regime for Navid Afkari,” said Morgan Ortagus, a spokeswoman for the US State Department.
“After participating in peaceful protests in 2018, he was tortured to issue a false confession,” she added.
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