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IOC surprised
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has described Afkari’s execution as “very sad news”. The IOC was “shocked,” it said in a statement Saturday. IOC President Thomas Bach had previously sent clemency requests to Iran’s political leaders by letter, even if he respected the country’s sovereignty.
It is “deeply disturbing” that all the protests by athletes and the efforts of international associations have failed. “Our thoughts go out to Navid Afkari’s family and friends,” it read.
The German Athletes Association was “deeply affected and shocked” on Saturday. The federal government’s human rights commissioner, Bärbel Kofler, was “deeply shocked”. “It is unacceptable that the rule of law is ignored just to silence unpleasant voices,” the SPD politician wrote.
