Donald Trump stood up for him.
Iranian authorities have sentenced 27-year-old fighter Navid Afkari to death in connection with his involvement in the murder of a security agent. Despite the efforts of US President Donald Trump, the sentence was carried out, Chronicle.info reports with reference to the country.
Iranian law enforcement officials reportedly accused the country’s Greco-Roman wrestling champion Navid Afkari and his two brothers, Wahid and Habib, of attempting to overthrow the government and killing a security agent.
As a result, the court sentenced the athlete to 74 lashes and two death sentences. The wrestler’s brothers received 54 and 27 years in prison.
At the same time, Afkari appealed to the Human Rights Council and said that he had confessed to the crimes committed under torture. Before the execution of the athlete, US President Donald Trump said that Afkari simply participated in an anti-government rally in connection with the worsening situation in the country and asked to “save the guy’s life.”
In turn, the International Olympic Committee issued a statement, which says that the members of the organization are shocked by the decision of the Iranian authorities.
“In letters, Thomas Bach, President of the IOC, this week personally addressed the Supreme Leader and the President of Iran and asked for pardon for Navid Afkari, while respecting the sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran. It is deeply saddening that the calls of athletes from all over the world and all the behind-the-scenes work of the IOC, together with the NOC of Iran, United World Wrestling and the National Federation of Iranian Wrestling, did not reach the goal. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Navid Afkari, ”the statement said.
According to journalists, in connection with what happened inside the country, discussions have resumed on the abolition of the death penalty.
