On Saturday, Iran’s champion wrestler Navid Afkari was executed despite a global outcry. The 27-year-old’s execution occurred at a prison in Shiraz for murdering a security agent named Hasan Turkman.
Iran’s state media ‘Mizan’ reports that the murder took place at the time of the 2018 protests in Shiraz.
Details On The Sentence And Execution Of Afkari
The International Olympic Committee states that the sentence was shocking. Thomas Bach, the IOC President, has written letters to the Supreme Leader and the President of Iran, making appeals for mercy.
Hossein Esmaeili says Afkari was to appease the victim’s family by paying restitution. If he fails, the judiciary has to execute him. Because the Supreme Court already reviewed the case. Moreover, the courts state he confessed to the murder.
According to his family, Afkari said he was tortured into making that confession. His lawyer said that there was no hard evidence. The nation’s judiciary, however, denied the torture allegations.
Also, IRNA reports on Saturday that the victim’s family denied forgiveness.
His lawyer said that his client was wronged because he couldn’t see his family before his death.
He also tweeted “Were you in such a hurry to carry out the sentence that you deprived Navid of a last visit?”
On Tuesday, a global union representing 85,000 athletes calls for Iran’s expulsion from world sport if the execution was carried out.
Also, the provincial court in Shiraz sentenced Afkari’s brothers as well. They are sentenced for the murder for 54 and 27 years in prison.
Opposition Towards The Sentence
The International Olympic Committee reports that the execution was “very sad news.”
President Donald Trump also shows concern. He tweets “To the leaders of Iran, I would greatly appreciate if you would spare this young man’s life, and not execute him,… Thank you!”
However, Iran responds by attaching a broadcast on Afkari, with the footage of Turkman’s weeping parents.
Al Jazeera’s Assed Baig also said about the state TV’ interview with Turkman’s parents. They state that their son is murdered and they have the right to retribute.
