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The International Olympic Committee has described reports confirming the execution of Iranian fighter Navid Afkari as “deeply upsetting” amid mounting calls for sports sanctions.
Iranian state media said today that Afkari, a national champion who was sentenced to death for the murder of a security guard during the 2018 anti-government protests, had been executed.
Afkari’s death comes despite attempted intervention by the IOC and the sport’s world governing body, United World Wrestling, and IOC President Thomas Bach said on Wednesday he was trying to “facilitate a solution.”
In a statement, the IOC said: “The execution of fighter Navid Afkari in Iran is very sad news. The IOC is shocked by this announcement today.
“In letters, Thomas Bach, the president of the IOC, had made direct personal appeals to the supreme leader and the president of Iran this week and asked for mercy for Navid Afkari, respecting the sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
“It is deeply upsetting that the pleas of athletes around the world and all the behind-the-scenes work of the IOC, along with the NOC of Iran, United World Wrestling and the National Wrestling Federation of Iran, did not achieve our goal.
“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Navid Afkari.”
On Friday, the Athletes’ Commission of the Olympic Federation of Ireland added its voice to the plea for clemency for Afkari.
President Shane O’Connor said: “It is important that as athletes we stand together to support each other in times of need.
“Navid Afkari was sentenced to death for allegedly killing a security man in Shiraz, Fars province, at the time of the summer 2018 protests in the province; it seems clear that there is evidence to support the fact that he did not commit the crime and that he was tortured during interrogation into giving a ‘false confession.’
Last week, Brendan Schwab, executive director of the World Players Association, had insisted that by running Afkari, Iran would be “giving up its right to be part of the universal community of sport.”
Schwab tweeted on Saturday: “@WorldPlayersUtd is aware of credible and heartbreaking reports that #NavidAfkari was executed despite the work of so many courageous champions of human rights in sport. We are seeking formal confirmation. If true, we are determined to make sure Navid did it, he won’t lose his life in vain. “
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