Iran Footballer To Face Execution For Supporting Women's Rights: Reports

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• Dec 14, 2022 | Dhupali Das

The legal system of the Islamic Republic plans to hang him for a crime known as...

Digital Desk: Iranian football player Amir Nasr-Azadani may face execution for his role in recent protests in Iran, according to local media. The former player Nasr-Azadani previously played for Rah-Ahan, Tractor, and Gol-e Rayhan. The legal system of the Islamic Republic plans to hang him for a crime known as "moharebeh." Following the death of a 22-year-old woman in police custody, protests erupted across Iran.

Mahsa Amini, 22, died while in the custody of the nation's morality police for breaching the country's dress code. Protests for greater freedom by Iranian citizens have resulted in the deaths of hundreds of people, particularly during protests.

The footballers' union, FIFPRO, which represents 65,000 professional football players worldwide, also tweeted about the incident. FIFPRO condemned the news about Amir Nasr-Azadani and demanded that his sentence be commuted.

"FIFPRO is shocked and sickened by reports that professional footballer Amir Nasr-Azadani faces execution in Iran after campaigning for women’s rights and basic freedom in his country. We stand in solidarity with Amir and call for the immediate removal of his punishment," the tweet read.

IranWire claims that on November 20, Nasr-Azadani and the other two suspects read a "forced" confession on state television. Nasr-Azadani was also present at the protests, according to IranWire. However, sources quoted that he was never near the area where Cheraghi and the two Basij members were killed. The insider added that his involvement in the protests was limited to shouting slogans for a few hours.

Apart from the international community, the Iranian football community has also backed Nasr-Azadani. Former Iran national team player Mehdi Mahdavikia claimed to have seen the 26-year-old at the youth squad's camp in Germany and expressed his concerns about any potential trial.

Other prominent Iranian footballers who have requested a stay of execution include Ali Karimi, Masoud Shojaei, Mohammed Reza Akhbari, and Siamak Nemati.