Execution of Navid Afkari

{{Short description|Iranian wrestler (1994–2020)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}} {{Infobox sportsperson | name = Navid Afkari | native_name = {{lang|fa|نوید افکاری سنگری}} | image = Navid Afkari.jpg | caption = | birth_name = Navid Afkari Sangari | birth_date = {{birth date|1993|7|22|df=y}} | birth_place = Shiraz, Iran | death_date = {{death date and age|2020|9|12|1993|7|22|df=y}} | death_place = Adel-Abaad prison, Shiraz, Iran | resting_place = Sangar, Sepidan County | module = {{Infobox person|embed=yes | resting_place_coordinates = | criminal_status = Executed | criminal_charges = Alleged murder of security agent, organizing a group, participating in protests <ref>{{Cite web|date=28 August 2020|title=Iran sentences tortured protester to death; 2 brothers to 81 years of prison|url=https://irannewswire.org/iran-sentences-tortured-protester-to-death-2-brothers-to-81-years-of-prison/|access-date=13 September 2020|website=Iran News Wire|language=en-US}}</ref> | criminal_penalty = Death | alma_mater = | employer = | occupation = Wrestler | years_active = 2002–2015 | known_for = | family = Habib, Saeid, Vahid (brothers), Elham (sister) | footnotes = }} }} '''Navid Afkari Sangari''' ({{langx|fa|نوید افکاری سنگری}}; 22 July 1993 – 12 September 2020)<ref name="cnn_20210628">{{cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2021/06/28/sport/navid-afkari-cmd-spt-intl/index.html|title=Navid Afkari: Executed Iranian wrestling star's voice is 'everywhere now'|first=Don|last=Riddell|work=CNN News|date=28 June 2021|access-date=29 June 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|author=((Staff writers))|date=12 September 2020|title=Iranian champion wrestler Navid Afkari executed - state media|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-iran-wrestler-idUKKBN2630EP|access-date=12 September 2020}}</ref> was an Iranian wrestler who was sentenced to death and executed in Shiraz<ref name="nyt_20200912">{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/12/world/middleeast/iran-wrestler-navid-afkari.html|title=Iran Executes Wrestler Accused of Murder After He Took Part in 2018 Protests|first1=Farnaz|last1=Fassihi|first2=Marjorie|last2=Olster|work=The New York Times|date=12 September 2020|access-date=2 April 2021}}</ref> after being accused and convicted of murdering a security guard during the 2018 Iranian protests;<ref name="bbc_20200912">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-54129949|title=Navid Afkari: Iran executes young wrestler despite global outcry|work=BBC News|date=12 September 2020|access-date=2 April 2021}}</ref> sources from outside Iran also cited convictions on other charges related to Afkari's participation in the protests,<ref>{{Cite news|title=Iran executes champion wrestler Navid Afkari despite global outcry|url=http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/iran-executes-wrestler-navid-afkari-global-outcry|access-date=13 September 2020|work=Middle East Eye|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=30 August 2020 |title=Iran Court Passes Double Death Sentence On Protester In Shiraz |url=https://en.radiofarda.com/a/iran-court-passes-double-death-sentence-on-protester-in-shiraz/30811261.html |work=Radio Farda}}</ref> while Iranian sources denied that the case had any connection to the protests.<ref name="aljazeera_20200912">{{cite news|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/9/12/iranian-wrestler-navid-afkari-executed-says-state-media|title=Iranian wrestler Navid Afkari executed, says state media|work=Al Jazeera News|date=12 September 2020|access-date=3 April 2021}}</ref> Afkari had filed a complaint with the Iranian judiciary, and stated in an audiotape recording that was smuggled from his prison, that his initial confession had been forced due to torture;<ref name="nyt_20200912"/> the Iranian judiciary denied the torture claims, and the Iranian state media broadcast a recording of the confession.<ref name="guardian_20200912">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/12/iranian-champion-wrestler-navid-afkari-executed-despite-global-outcry|title=Iranian champion wrestler Navid Afkari executed despite global outcry|first=Michael|last=Safi|work=The Guardian|date=12 September 2020|access-date=2 April 2021}}</ref> There were worldwide calls for Afkari to be pardoned, including by International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach,<ref name="nyt_20200912"/> and by then U.S. president Donald Trump.<ref name="bbc_20200912"/> Afkari's brothers, Vahid and Habib were sentenced to 54 and 27 years, respectively, in prison in the same case.<ref name="bbc_20200912"/>

In September 2020, the United States blacklisted several Iranian officials and entities over alleged gross violations of human rights that also included Navid Afkari's execution.<ref>{{Cite web|title=U.S. imposes new Iran sanctions over human rights violations |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-iran-sanctions-pompeo-int-idUSKCN26F3BU|first1=Humeyra|last1=Pamuk |first2=Daphne|last2=Psaledakis|others=Editing by Chizu Nomiyama, Bernadette Baum and Tom Brown|website=Reuters.com|date=24 September 2020|access-date=2 April 2021|language=en}}</ref>

==Wrestling career== Navid Afkari had been a wrestler, having discovered the sport at the age of nine,<ref name="cnn_20210628"/> and had participated in several national Iranian wrestling events. In 2008 he was ranked 2nd in the 69 kg category in youth Greco-Roman wrestling.<ref name="کشتی">{{Cite web|last=کشتی|first=روابط عمومی فدراسیون|title=فدراسیون کشتی|url=http://iawf.ir/|access-date=2021-04-05|website=فدراسیون کشتی|language=fa}}</ref> In 2016, he ranked 8th place nationally in the 71 kg category for Greco-Roman wrestling.<ref name="کشتی"/>

==Arrest and charges== Afkari was arrested on 17 September, 2018 for the murder of Hasan Turkman, who worked as a security guard for Water and Sewage company of Shiraz,<ref name="CNN2"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/breaking-navid-afkari-executed-iran-ignores-international-outcry-hangs-champion-wrestler-827970|title=Navid Afkari executed; Iran ignores international outcry, hangs champion wrestler|first=Sami|last=Khan|date=12 September 2020|website=International Business Times, India Edition}}</ref>

Turkman was murdered on the night of 1 August 2018 (on 2 August 2018 according to the official version<ref name="cnn_20210628"/>) while returning home from work. According to the Iranian Criminal Investigation Police, Afkari was arrested after he was identified in CCTV footage from a place near the murder scene.<ref name="mehrnews.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.mehrnews.com/news/5012473/قتل-فجیع-کارمند-سازمان-آب-منطقه-ای-شیراز-به-دست-نوید-افکاری|title=قتل فجیع کارمند سازمان آب منطقه‌ای شیراز به دست نوید افکاری|date=31 August 2020|website=خبرگزاری مهر | اخبار ایران و جهان | Mehr News Agency}}</ref> Afkari had been identified by police via the footage that was later reported to be the version of events prevailing inside of Iran.<ref name="aljazeera_20200912"/>

In audio clips released (or according to another source, leaked<ref name="cnn_20210628"/>) from the court, Afkari stated that he had not played a role in the murder of Turkman.<ref name="iranwire_20200926">{{cite web|url=https://iranwire.com/en/features/7662|title=Who are the Iranian judges sanctioned by the US?|first=Shima|last=Shahrabi|website=iranwire.com|date=26 September 2020|access-date=11 April 2021}}</ref> According to Afkari's lawyer Ali Younesi, there was no evidence linking him to that case. In an interview with "Emtedad" news network that was published by Deutsche Welle, Younesi claimed the sentencing court had been influenced by two sources that they claim showed Afkari as the murderer. According to Younesi, the court used CCTV footage of a street near where Turkman was found dead, but showed the scene before Turkman's death.<ref>{{cite news|date=1 September 2020|title=وکیل نوید افکاری فیلم مورد استناد دادگاه را بی‌اعتبار دانست|url=https://www.dw.com/fa-ir/%D9%88%DA%A9%DB%8C%D9%84-%D9%86%D9%88%DB%8C%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%81%DA%A9%D8%A7%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D9%81%DB%8C%D9%84%D9%85-%D9%85%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%AF-%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%AF%DA%AF%D8%A7%D9%87-%D8%B1%D8%A7-%D8%A8%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%AA%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%B3%D8%AA/a-54781054|newspaper=Deutsche Welle|language=fa|access-date=19 September 2020}}</ref> Footage from the moment when the felony took place was claimed to not exist.<ref name=RZ20200904>{{cite news|last=Seifikaran|first=Farzad|date=4 September 2020|title=پرونده برادران افکاری: چرا قوه قضائیه دروغ می‌گوید؟|url=https://www.radiozamaneh.com/533450|work=Radio Zamaneh|language=fa|access-date=19 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.radiofarda.com/a/iran-navid-afkari-case-lawyer-rejects-evidence-wrestlers-support/30814505.html|title=وکیل نوید افکاری درستی فیلم مورد ادعای قوه قضائیه را رد کرد؛ حمایت دو فرنگی‌کار|date=1 September 2020|work=Radio Farda|language=fa|access-date=19 September 2020}}</ref>

The video was reported to show Afkari walking on the sidewalk while talking on the phone.<ref>{{cite news|last=Vahdat|first=Amir|date=12 September 2020|title=Iran executes pro-wrestler Navid Afkari despite global campaign for his release|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/7331445/iran-executes-navid-afkari/|work=Global News|agency=Associated Press|language=en|access-date=19 September 2020}}</ref> According to audio recordings from the court, Afkari had requested that the video be presented to the court, which head judge, Mehrdad Tahmtan refused.<ref name="iranwire_20200926"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.radiofarda.com/a/30841947.html|title=سازمان حقوق بشر ایران فایلی صوتی از دادگاه نوید افکاری منتشر کرد|date=16 September 2020|work=Radio Farda|language=fa|access-date=19 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dw.com/fa-ir/%D8%AF%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%BA-%D9%88-%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%B1%DB%8C%D9%81-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D9%BE%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%86%D8%AF%D9%87-%D9%86%D9%88%DB%8C%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%81%DA%A9%D8%A7%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D9%85%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D8%B1-%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%AE%DB%8C-%D9%85%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AF/a-54911942|title=دروغ و تحریف در پرونده نوید افکاری • مروری بر برخی موارد|date=13 September 2020|newspaper=Deutsche Welle|language=fa|access-date=19 September 2020}}</ref> In addition to the CCTV footage, the court used eye-witness accounts as the other evidence for linking Afkari with Turkman's murder case. The accounts were later dropped by the people that initially testified against Afkari. One testified under pressure, another said that their testimony was not right or accurate and another one mentioned that they had met Afkari for the first time during the court.<ref name="II20200902">{{cite web|url=https://iranintl.com/%D8%A7%D9%8A%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86/%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%81%DA%A9%D8%A7%D8%B1%DB%8C%D8%8C-%D8%B3%D9%87-%D9%85%D8%AA%D9%87%D9%85-%D8%B3%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%B3%DB%8C-%D9%88-%DB%8C%DA%A9-%D9%BE%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%86%D8%AF%D9%87-%D9%82%D8%AA%D9%84%D8%9B-%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%B1%DA%AF%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D9%85%DB%8C%D8%B2%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AF%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%BA-%D9%85%DB%8C%E2%80%8C%DA%AF%D9%88%DB%8C%D8%AF|title=برادران افکاری، سه متهم سیاسی و یک پرونده قتل؛ خبرگزاری میزان دروغ می‌گوید|date=2 September 2020|website=Iran International|language=fa|access-date=19 September 2020}}</ref><ref name="BBC20200914">{{cite news|last=Amirshahi|first=Farnoush|date=14 September 2020|title=ساعت‌های پرابهام؛ پرونده‌ای که با اعدام نوید افکاری بسته نشد|url=https://www.bbc.com/persian/iran-features-54141380|work=BBC News|language=fa|access-date=19 September 2020}}</ref>

For his involvement in the protests, and further the alleged murder case, the court led by the head judge, Mehrdad Tahmtan,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ettelaat.net/2020/09/01/39086/ |title=با مهرداد تهمتن "قاضی" صادر کننده حکم ۲ بار اعدام برای نوید افکاری آشنا شوید |date=1 September 2020 |website=ettelaat.net |language=fa |access-date=19 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://iranglobal.info/node/80971 |title=قاضی جلادی که به نوید افکاری حکم ۲ بار اعدام داد را بشناسید! |date=14 September 2020 |website=iranglobal.info |language=fa |access-date=19 September 2020}}</ref> sentenced Afkari with two capital punishments.<ref>{{cite news |date=2 September 2020 |title=Tortured and at Risk of Execution for Taking Part in 2018 Protests |url=https://iranwire.com/en/features/7524 |work=IranWire }}</ref> After his sentencing, Afkari found this ruling unjust, and he voiced his concerns. In one of his voice calls from the Adel-Abaad prison, he said:

{{blockquote|My audience are noble people that have a bit of honor in them. Your complacency means rooting for oppression and the oppressor. It means supporting the execution of an innocent man, which means I will be getting closer, step-by-step, to the hanging platform.<ref name="afkari_voice_20200919">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HydtGYhAOxA&ab_channel=FirstHealth&t=39 |title=فايل صوتى نويد افكارى /The Voice of Navid Afkari |date=3 September 2020 |website=YouTube |access-date=19 September 2020}}</ref>}}

He insisted his innocence stating:

{{blockquote|People! It is only logical that I will fight for my life; and as per the evidence, all clues are an affirmation to my innocence. All the evidence that we have collected and everything that I am saying right now, is only here to let you know that if I ever get executed, in the 21st century and with all the human right organizations, the UN or security council or the whatever else, an innocent human being, which had tried to the best of his might and fought, to have his voice heard, was hanged.<ref name="afkari_voice_20200919"/>}}

He warned people about the systemic corruption infesting the judiciary system of Iran and how innocent lives get taken by their unjust rulings, stating:

{{blockquote|Know and be aware that if the innocent me gets executed, this won't be the first victim of the unfairness of this so-called 'justice-oriented' unjust court".<ref name="afkari_voice_20200919"/>}}

==Forced confessions== While Afkari initially issued a confession accepting the murder charge, he would later take it back stating he had been tortured into making a false confession.<ref name=RZ20200904/><ref name="BBC1">{{cite web |title=Navid Afkari: Iran executes young wrestler despite global outcry |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-54129949 |website=BBC News |access-date=13 September 2020 |date=12 September 2020}}</ref> As per the audio recordings released by the court, Afkari's request to summon the witness who testified about his torture was ignored by the judge.<ref name="iranwire_20200926"/>

During the hearings in the privately held court, Afkari stated:

{{blockquote|I told the inspector that neither do I know the secret agent (that has been killed), nor have I heard his name! But under torture, and to save my family, and for Vahid (one of his imprisoned brothers), I gave them what they wanted.<ref name=BBC20200914/>}}

His parents sent a letter to the chief justice of Iran claiming their son endured torture.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/persian/54084547|title=نامه پدر و مادر برادران افکاری؛ تا آثار ضرب و شتم هست آنان را به پزشکی قانونی ببرید|date=9 September 2020|work=BBC News|access-date=19 September 2020}}</ref>

In one of his last recordings from prison,<ref name="nyt_20200912"/> Afkari said:

{{blockquote|Once I had been freed from the pressure of solitary confinement, the basement, and the tortures, once I stepped back onto the prison, I immediately wrote to the judicial offices and filed my complaint (against their use of torture) and screamed (my innocence); that I am not a murderer. I requested them to take me to the forensics bureau (for medical examinations of his scars). Per their report and eye-witness account (of my torture) and other evidence, it was made clear that I had been tortured. No matter the countless times I wrote (and pleaded) that all my confessions were obtained under (pressure and) torture; or how there is not a single shred of evidence in this damned case that could prove my guilt, but they did not want to hear our voice. I figured they were looking for a neck for their noose.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HydtGYhAOxA&ab_channel=FirstHealth&t=174s |title=فايل صوتى نويد افكارى /The Voice of Navid Afkari |date=3 September 2020 |website=YouTube |access-date=19 September 2020}}</ref><ref name="guardian_20200912"/>}}

==Death sentence== Afkari was given two death sentences for his charges.<ref name="BBC1"/> According to human rights activists in Iran, his brothers Vahid and Habib were sentenced to 54 and 27 years in prison for charges stemming from the same case,<ref name="BBC1"/> as well as 74{{nbsp}}lashes each. In a tweet from 1{{nbsp}}May 2021, journalist and activist Masih Alinejad said that Vahid was subjected to pressure to make forced confessions under the threat of execution.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/international/irans-regime-threatens-to-execute-brother-of-wrestler-navid-afkari-667012|title=Iran's regime threatens to execute brother of wrestler Navid Afkari|first=Benjamin|last=Weinthal|work=The Jerusalem Post|date=3 May 2021|access-date=9 May 2021}}</ref>

=== Reactions === thumb|Navid Afkari appearing in a mural commemorating the victims of the Islamic regime in Iran, in Nazareth. (Second up from the right) Afkari's death sentence sparked global outrage and calls to overturn his execution.<ref name="CNN2">{{cite web |last1=Moshtaghian |first1=Artemis |last2=Alam |first2=Hande Atay |last3=Mostaghim |first3=Ramin |last4=Ramsay |first4=George |title=Iran urged not to execute champion wrestler Navid Afkari|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/09/sport/navid-afkari-wrestler-iran-spt-intl/index.html |website=CNN |access-date=13 September 2020 |date=9 September 2020}}</ref> U.S. President Donald Trump, International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach and Ultimate Fighting Championship President Dana White all petitioned Iran not to execute Afkari.<ref name="CNN1">{{cite web |title=Iranian champion wrestler Navid Afkari executed despite international campaign |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/09/12/sport/iran-wrestler-navid-afkari-executed-intl/index.html |website=CNN |date=12 September 2020 |access-date=13 September 2020}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-54008497|title=Navid Afkari: Trump urges Iran not to execute champion wrestler|work=BBC News|date=4 September 2020|access-date=2 April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=6 September 2020 |title=German gov't to Post: Iranian wrestler must not be executed |url=https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-may-execute-innocent-wrestler-placed-in-solitary-confinement-641183 |work=The Jerusalem Post }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://thehill.com/policy/international/middle-east-north-africa/515331-iran-broadcasts-wrestlers-confession-following?ocid=uxbndlbing |title=Iran broadcasts wrestler's confession following Trump tweet |website=The Hill |date=6 September 2020 }}</ref> Trump tweeted on 4 September 2020: <blockquote class="templatequote">Hearing that Iran is looking to execute a great and popular wrestling star, 27-year-old Navid Afkarai [sic], whose sole act was an anti-government demonstration on the streets. They were protesting the “country’s worsening economic situation and inflation”. To the leaders of Iran, I would greatly appreciate if you would spare this young man’s life, and not execute him. Thank you!<ref>{{cite news |last=Halaschak |first=Zachary |date=12 September 2020 |title=Iran executes wrestler Navid Afkari despite pleas from Trump and Dana White |url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/iran-executes-wrestler-navid-afkari-despite-pleas-from-trump-and-dana-white |work=Washington Examiner |access-date=12 September 2020}}</ref></blockquote>

U.S. State Department spokeswoman, Morgan Ortagus, tweeted: "We join the world in outrage at the Iranian regime's death sentence for Navid Afkari, who was tortured into giving a false confession after participating in peaceful protests in 2018. The regime also tortured his two brothers and sentenced them to decades in prison. Let them go!"<ref name=":0" />

The World Players Association urged for the Iranian judiciary to issue a stay of execution.<ref name="CNN2"/>

Iran's state-sponsored Tasnim News Agency dismissed Trump's tweet in a feature story, saying that US sanctions had hurt Iranian hospitals amid the pandemic, "Trump is worried about the life of a murderer while he puts many Iranian patients' lives in danger by imposing severe sanctions," the agency said.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/09/12/iran-executes-wrestler-whose-life-trump-asked-to-be-spared-412836 |title=Iran executes wrestler whose life Trump asked to be spared |website=Politico |date=12 September 2020 }}</ref>

===Potential banning of Iran from the Olympics=== There have been talks about whether Iran should be banned from the Olympic Games.<ref>{{cite news|last=Barrett|first=Chris|date=18 September 2020|title='Miscarriage of justice': Australian leads call for Olympics to kick out Iran|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/miscarriage-of-justice-australian-leads-call-for-olympics-to-kick-out-iran-20200918-p55wxg.html|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|language=en|access-date=19 September 2020}}</ref> Australian sports administrator Brendan Schwab, executive director of the Switzerland-based World Players Association, which represents tens of thousands of professional athletes around the world, said that:

{{blockquote|We can't think of a more grievous attack on the humanitarian values of the Olympic movement than the horrific execution of an athlete through a coerced confession obtained through torture.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/miscarriage-of-justice-australian-leads-call-for-olympics-to-kick-out-iran-20200918-p55wxg.html|title="'Miscarriage of justice': Australian leads call for Olympics to kick out Iran"|first=Chris|last=Barrett|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=18 September 2020|access-date=15 April 2021}}</ref>}}

Schwab stated that Afkari's execution "must result in Iran forfeiting its right to be a part of sport's universal community".<ref>{{cite news|last=Barrett|first=Chris|date=15 September 2020|title=Coates suggests Iran Olympic ban unlikely despite wrestler's execution|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/coates-suggests-iran-olympic-ban-unlikely-despite-wrestler-s-execution-20200915-p55vtv.html|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|language=en|access-date=19 September 2020}}</ref>

==Death and burial== On 12 September 2020, it was announced that Afkari had been executed.<ref name="BBC1"/><ref name="CNN1"/> His body was buried at night-time with high-security presence; only Afkari's immediate family members attended.{{citation needed|date=April 2021}}

Afkari's supporters raised several points of doubt regarding the official version of the execution. Afkari was supposedly executed in the month of Muharram, during which the executions are not supposed to take place from the legal provisions, as it is considered forbidden (haram) to kill during that month<ref name="BBC1a">{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/persian/iran-54146150|title=محکومیت جهانی اعدام نوید افکاری؛ ابراز نگرانی کارشناسان ارشد سازمان ملل|date=14 September 2020|website=BBC News فارسی}}</ref> by sharia law, also written in the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

There were also reports that the family of Turkman was about to agree to drop their call for qisas (retribution). They were to have a meeting to discuss the matter with the other side the day Afkari was announced dead. His brother received the news of Afkari's death through a call shortly before his plane was due to depart for Shiraz in order to go and visit the Turkmans.<ref>{{cite news|last=Williams|first=Stuard|date=17 September 2020|title=With 'hasty' execution of wrestler, Iran sends defiant message to world|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/with-hasty-execution-of-wrestler-iran-sends-defiant-message-to-world/#gs.giq9jf|work=The Times of Israel|language=en|access-date=19 September 2020}}</ref><ref name="BBC1a"/>

Afkari's lawyer Younesi said that his client had been denied a last meeting with family before execution, in violation of Iranian law.<ref name="bbc_20200912"/> There were also claims that the legally required notification of family about execution, one or two day in advance, had not been made.<ref name="BBC1a"/> In the last voice call from Afkari made hours before his death, he still appeared to have been completely unaware of his impending execution.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://fa.iran-hrm.com/%d8%a2%d8%ae%d8%b1%db%8c%d9%86-%d8%aa%d9%85%d8%a7%d8%b3-%d9%86%d9%88%db%8c%d8%af-%d8%a7%d9%81%da%a9%d8%a7%d8%b1%db%8c-%d8%a7%d8%b2-%d8%b2%d9%86%d8%af%d8%a7%d9%86-%d9%88-%d8%a8%db%8c-%d8%ae%d8%a8%d8%b1/|title=آخرین تماس نوید افکاری از زندان و بی خبری او از اجرای حکم اعدام|date=15 September 2020|website=Iran Human Rights Monitor|language=fa|access-date=19 September 2020}}</ref>

Allegations were made by witnesses that Afkari had been tortured prior to execution. There were signs of blunt trauma on Afkari's body, his face was deformed and he had a broken nose.<ref name="BBC1a"/> The family members were only allowed to see Afkari's face and they were forbidden from seeing his body.<ref name=II20200914>{{cite web|url=https://iranintl.com/%D8%A7%D9%8A%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86/%D8%AC%D8%B2%DB%8C%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%B2%D9%87-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D9%85%D8%B1%DA%AF-%D9%86%D9%88%DB%8C%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%81%DA%A9%D8%A7%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%B2%D9%86%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D8%AD%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%84-%DA%A9%D8%B4%D8%AA%D9%87-%D8%B4%D8%AF%D9%86-%D9%86%D9%88%DB%8C%D8%AF-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D8%AB%D8%B1-%D8%B4%DA%A9%D9%86%D8%AC%D9%87-%D9%82%D9%88%D8%AA-%DA%AF%D8%B1%D9%81%D8%AA|title=جزییات تازه از مرگ نوید افکاری در زندان: احتمال کشته شدن نوید در اثر شکنجه قوت گرفت|date=14 September 2020|website=Iran International|language=fa|access-date=19 September 2020}}</ref> The cloth with which his body had been carried to the burial was stained with blood from the inside. These accounts led to suspicions that the official version of Afkari's execution had been intended to forestall public anger.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://fa.iran-hrm.com/%D9%BE%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%86%D8%AF%D9%87-%D9%86%D9%88%DB%8C%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%81%DA%A9%D8%A7%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D9%88-%D8%A7%D8%B8%D9%87%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%A8%DA%A9-%D9%BE%D8%A7%DA%A9-%D9%86/|title=پرونده نوید افکاری و اظهارات بابک پاک نیا از "ابهام های عجیب" در اجرای حکم|date=15 September 2020|website=Iran Human Rights Monitor|language=fa|access-date=19 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://fa.iran-hrm.com/%d8%a7%d8%ad%d8%aa%d9%85%d8%a7%d9%84-%d8%ac%d8%a7%d9%86-%d8%a8%d8%a7%d8%ae%d8%aa%d9%86-%d9%86%d9%88%db%8c%d8%af-%d8%a7%d9%81%da%a9%d8%a7%d8%b1%db%8c-%d8%b2%db%8c%d8%b1-%d8%b4%da%a9%d9%86%d8%ac%d9%87/|title=احتمال جان باختن نوید افکاری زیر شکنجه – جزییات تازه ای افشا می شود|date=15 September 2020|website=Iran Human Rights Monitor|language=fa|access-date=19 September 2020}}</ref><ref name=II20200914/>

Members of the Iranian diaspora held protest vigils in cities worldwide, including Toronto,<ref>{{cite news|accessdate=2021-04-19|title=Iran's regime destroyed grave of executed champion wrestler|url=https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/irans-regime-destroyed-grave-of-executed-champion-wrestler-652649|work= The Jerusalem Post}}</ref> Winnipeg,<ref>{{cite news|first=Sarah|last=Petz|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/protest-navid-afkari-iran-winnipeg-1.5730936|title=Manitoba's Iranian community protests execution of athlete allegedly tortured into false murder confession|date=September 18, 2020|work=CBC News}}</ref> Edmonton,<ref>{{Cite news|title=Edmonton's Iranian community holds rally to protest execution of wrestler Navid Afkari {{!}} CBC News|language=en-US|work=CBC|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/zavid-afkari-rally-edmonton-1.5731509|access-date=2021-04-05}}</ref> Frankfurt,<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-09-15|title=Protest gegen Hinrichtung des iranischen Ringers Navid Afkari|url=https://www.fr.de/frankfurt/frankfurt-protest-gegen-hinrichtung-des-iranischen-ringers-navid-afkari-90044843.html|access-date=2021-04-05|website=www.fr.de|language=de}}</ref> Paris, Berlin, London, Gothenburg, The Hague, Bern, Brussels, Copenhagen, Rome, Malmö, Hamburg and Washington.

==Sister's arrest== Elham Afkari, Navid's sister, was arrested on November 10, 2022 amidst the nationwide protests in Iran following the Death of Mahsa Amini. Iranian officials have charged her with being an agent of Iran International, the opposition television broadcaster which was recently called a “terrorist” organization by the Iranian intelligence minister. She is in the custody of Iran's Ministry of Intelligence.<ref>{{cite news|last=|first=|date=10 November 2022|title=Sister of executed Iranian wrestler arrested and identified by state news as 'agent' |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/10/sport/sister-navid-afkari-iran-international-intl-spt/index.html|work=cnn.com|language=en|access-date=12 November 2022}}</ref>

==In popular culture== Afkari and his death was the inspiration for the song titled ''Navid Azadi'' (lit. beacon of freedom) by Iranian artist King Raam.<ref>{{Cite tweet|number=1319282958230982656|first=Ramin|last= Seyed-Emami|title=برای تمامِ نوید افکاری های ایرانبرای تمام جوان هایی که در راه آزادی رفتند برای آبانبرای شما که نویدِ آزادی را فریاد زدید|user=@kingraam|access-date=5 April 2021|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|title=Navid Azadi| date=22 October 2020 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaBChBB2hzk|language=en|access-date=5 April 2021}}</ref> The 2021 art project PaykanArtCar was inspired by Afkari,<ref name="To Protest Iran’s Anti-Gay Abuses, an Artist Painted a Dictator’s Car">{{cite news |last1=Berk |first1=Brett |date=1 November 2021 |title=To Protest Iran's Anti-Gay Abuses, an Artist Painted a Dictator's Car |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/01/business/art-car-iran.html |access-date=25 November 2022 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> as was Amir Zargara's 2024 short film ''A Good Day Will Come''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jackson |first=Destiny |date=2024-12-11 |title='A Good Day Will Come' Writer-Director Amir Zargara On Bringing A Tragic Hero's Story To Life In Oscar-Qualifying Short Film |url=https://deadline.com/2024/12/a-good-day-will-come-amir-zargara-interview-1236200496/ |access-date=2025-03-25 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref>

A campaign in the name of "United For Navid" was founded by Iranian journalist and women’s rights activist Masih Alinejad to draw attention to Iran's Islamic republic regime’s abuse of Iranian athletes' human rights.<ref>{{cite web |title=Why The Iranian Regime's Murder Of A Champion Wrestler Matters |url=https://www.fdd.org/analysis/2021/09/08/why-murder-of-a-champion-wrestler-matters/ |website=FDD |access-date=14 January 2022 |date=8 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Iranian athletes at Tokyo Olympics remember murdered wrestler Navid Afkari |url=https://www.foxnews.com/sports/iranian-athletes-tokyo-olympics-navid-afkari |website=Fox News |access-date=14 January 2022 |date=4 August 2021}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * {{Wikiquote-inline|Navid Afkari}} {{List of political prisoners of Iran}} {{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Afkari, Navid}} Category:2010s murders in Iran Category:2018 in Iran Category:2018 murders in Asia Category:2020 in Iran Category:People executed by Iran by hanging Category:21st-century executions by Iran