By Published On: September 12, 2020Categories: NEWS
Navid Afkari

The (PMOI / MEK Iran), has previously reported on Afkari’s unjust sentence and condemnation from human rights groups.

On the 12 September 2020, Navid Afkari, the Iranian wrestling champion, was executed for participating in the 2018 uprising, calling for regime-change. Afkari was brutally tortured while imprisoned to force him into making a confession. Despite global outcry, including from a union of 85,000 athletes and US President Donald Trump, the execution by hanging took place this morning in Shiraz.

Afkari, along with his two brothers, Vahid Afkari and Habib Afkari were charged with “waging war against the state” and a murder which the regime claims took place during the 2018 uprising. There is no evidence however that the brothers ever committed a murder. Vahid Afkari and Habib Afkari were sentenced to 54 and 27 years in prison.

Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), said: The people of Iran, especially the courageous youth, will not remain silent vis-à-vis the savage execution of this brave son of Shiraz and will rise up in solidarity with the heroic people of Fars Province over his unjust execution.

The religious dictatorship ruling Iran cannot survive for even one day without suppression, execution, and torture. By shedding the blood of the brave children of Iran, such as Navid, it seeks to preserve its rule in the face of the Iranian people’s uprising. But Navid’s martyrdom will only add fuel to the flames of the Iranian people’s uprising and will strengthen their determination to overthrow the clerical regime and to establish freedom and democracy.

Ms. Rajavi added: The United Nations Security Council, its member states, the UN Human Rights Council and High Commissioner for Human Rights, the EU, and all international human rights organizations must undertake effective and concrete measures against the Iranian regime for the execution of Navid Afkari and 120,000 political prisoners. Silence and inaction are tantamount to a green light to, and complicity with, the regime to continues its atrocities.

Reports indicate that the clerical regime is refusing Afkari’s family any rights to his body and are attempting to secretly bury him in order to prevent any gathering to honour him. They are fearful that this may fuel further protests and another potential uprising.

It is important that the international community continues to speak out as they did in attempts to halt the execution of Afkari. The UN, the Security Council, and the European Union should use their power to hold the regime accountable for their violations of human rights and not allow them to continue their crimes against the Iranian people.

The people of Iran will not accept the injustice of Afkari’s execution and will remember him as a martyr to the cause of freedom and democracy.

Navid Afkari was sentenced to double executions, prison, and lashings. His brothers were sentenced to a combined 81 years in prison and lashes. The People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI / MEK Iran), has previously reported on Afkari’s unjust sentence and condemnation from human rights groups.

https://www.facebook.com/MEK.Iran1/posts/837202803772828

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