Navid Afkari is an Iranian wrestler who has been sentenced for execution by Iran
UFC president, Dana White, sent out a strong message of support and urged Donald Trump to save wrestler Navid Afkari from execution.
Afkari is an Iranian wrestler who has won several medals nationally. The 27-year-old, however, has been sentenced regarding his participation in protests a couple of years back.
The BBC confirmed that Afkari was handed two death sentences over the murder of a security guard. This took place in the city of Shiraz during protests.
Two of Afkari’s brothers, Vahid and Habib, have been sentenced to 54 and 27 years, respectively, in prison for the same crime.
However, there are reports that Navid’s confession was taken after the wrestler was tortured. His lawyer, however, claimed there was no video footage to link the wrestler with the murder. He also added that the footage used to convict Afkari was taken an hour before the crime.
An audio leak from Afkari, from the prison where he is being held, added that he was being tortured. The Iranian wrestler’s mother also claimed that her sons were being tortured.
Trump and White step in
The US and Iran have had hostile relations for a while and Trump was one of the first to speak out.
The president tweeted out his support for the wrestler and did not want him executed. He further tagged the UFC and Dana White as he posted updates on Twitter:
…To the leaders of Iran, I would greatly appreciate if you would spare this young man’s life, and not execute him. Thank you! @UFC @DanaWhite @FoxNews https://t.co/NkJb4IsQpt
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 3, 2020
White had come out with a video of his own in support of the 27-year-old Afkari. The UFC president claimed that the wrestler was “one” of them and this could have happened to any of White’s stars too.
He also called upon the US president to look into this and wanted Iran to spare the wrestler’s life.
Iran, please spare Navi’s Afkarai 🙏🏻 #SaveNavid pic.twitter.com/HMeZA1yFup
— danawhite (@danawhite) September 4, 2020
Iran has faced several demonstrations over the years due to economic problems and repression from the Government.
However, things haven’t been helped due to the economic sanctions imposed by the US and other countries.
Protests took place last year too and that was met with a severe crackdown as well with thousands being arrested.
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