Iran carries out death sentence against fighter Navid Afkari

Despite the protests
“Executed in secret”: Iran carries out controversial death sentence against Afkari fighter

The death sentence against Iranian fighter Navid Afkari was carried out on Saturday. The 27-year-old was executed at the Adel-Abad prison in the southern Iranian city of Shiraz, the head of the judiciary in Fars province, Kasem Mousavi, told state television. After the sentence was also confirmed by the Supreme Court, the execution was carried out in the presence of the victim’s family, Mousavi said. Amnesty International warned on Friday that Afkiri’s “secret execution” was imminent. At first, it was said that the sentence would not be enforced until 2026.

Iran bans interference

On Wednesday, the Iranian judiciary rejected criticism of Afkari’s death sentence at home and abroad. “Many simply interfere in matters about which they do not have accurate information or the necessary legal competence,” said justice spokesman Gholam-Hussein Ismaili. Afkari murdered an innocent person and the sentence against him in Iran is not the death penalty, but “Ghissas”, the spokesman said. “Ghissas” is in Islamic law the principle of retribution, blood revenge or an eye for an eye, which the families of the victims can decide.

In protest at the death sentence, there had previously been an international wave of solidarity with Afkari. IOC President Thomas Bach had spoken of feeling “close” to the Afkari athlete. One is “extremely worried.” A global association of 85,000 athletes called on Tuesday to exclude Iran from the global sports community should Afkari die. Even the president of the United States, Donald Trump, campaigned in favor of the athlete through Twitter and asked the Iranian regime to spare the young man’s life.

Federal government human rights commissioner Bärbel Kofler said she was “deeply shocked” by the execution. The SPD politician wrote on Saturday: “It is unacceptable that the rule of law is ignored just to silence unpleasant voices.” The German Athletes Association was also “deeply affected and shocked.” The family of fighters also reacted in shock. Former world-class mat fighter Alexander Leipold expressed “deep sadness and complete misunderstanding” on Instagram. He was “deeply shocked and saddened,” wrote three-time world wrestling champion Frank Stäbler.

Afkari lawyer: family refused to visit

According to the Iranian judiciary, Afkari is said to have killed a security officer during a demonstration in the city of Shiraz, in southern Iran, in 2018. He was said to have confessed. Iranian state television had broadcast a corresponding video. The athlete, his family and human rights organizations alleged that the confession was obtained through torture.

According to Afkari’s lawyer Hassan Younesi, the authorities also denied Afkari’s family the right to visit the 27-year-old for the last time before the execution. “Were you in such a hurry?” He asked the Iranian judiciary via Twitter.