The People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran’s (PMOI/MEK) Resistance Units continued a campaign to release wrestling champion Navid Afkari right up until his execution by the Iranian regime on Saturday.  

Afkari, who was convicted following confessions extracted under torture (i.e. false confessions), was executed for taking part in peaceful protests and his sentence sparked a global campaign led by the Iranian people and their organised resistance. (His two brothers are serving long prison sentences for the same non-crime.) 

Let’s look at some of the actions of the Resistance Units. 

They spread the slogans, “Free Navid Afkari”, “Stop the execution of the Iranian youths”, “Free Afkari brothers”, and “the only solution to prevent executions of those like Navid is to revolt and protest”, through graffiti and signs in public places, as well as on social media. 

 Between Wednesday and Friday last week, Resistance Units took action in Tehran, Shiraz, Tabriz, Mashhad, Karaj, Isfahan, Kashan, Eslamshahr, Ghaen, Kerman, Ahvaz, Qazvin, Rasht, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad, Nain, Abadan, Anzali, Astaneh, Ardabil, Lorestan, Bojnourd, Andimeshk, Qom, Sabzehvar, Hamadan, Bajestan, Esfarayen, Hashtgerd, Gorgan, Yazd, Kish, Kermanshah, Behbahan, Sanandaj, and Zahedan. 

There they installed huge posters of Iranian Resistance Leaders Massoud and Maryam Rajavi, while also calling for an end to the regime. 

The posters read: 

Karaj— “The regime cannot maintain its rule by executing sports champions”
Tehran— “The overthrow of the inhuman regime is certain”
Karaj— “The IRGC must be annihilated”
Kashan— “Down with Khamenei, hail to Rajavi”
Eslamshahr— “Hail to Rajavi”
Shiraz— “Down with Khamenei, hail to Rajavi”
Tehran— “The only solution to prevent executions of people like Navid is to revolt and protest”
Tehran— “The only way to freedom is through revolt and protest”
Ghaen— “The overthrow of the mullahs’ regime is possible through the Resistance Units”
Kerman— “The only way to freedom is through revolt and protest”
Karaj— “The regime cannot maintain its rule by executing sports champions”
Karaj— “Khamenei’s rule will be overthrown by the Resistance Units”
Ahvaz— “To the brave people, raise your voice of protest”
Ahvaz— “Down with Khamenei and shame on his rule”
Qazvin— “The overthrow of the mullahs’ regime is possible through the Resistance Units”

Also, these slogans:

• “Down with Khamenei and shame on his rule” 
• “To the brave people, raise your voice of protest” 
• “Down with Khamenei, hail to Rajavi” 
• “The IRGC must be annihilated” 
• “To the brave people, raise your voice in protest” 
• “The only way to freedom is revolt and protest” 
• “The overthrowing of the mullahs’ regime is possible by Resistance Units” 
• “Down with Khamenei, hail to the MEK, hail to Rajavi” 

At the same time, the Resistance Units celebrated the MEK’s 55th anniversary and hailed the long fight against the dictators, with many holding up signs declaring their support for the MEK and their hatred of the mullahs.  

On September 10, the defiant Iranian youth targeted two Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) Basij bases in Isfahan because the suppressive paramilitary group is so hated in Iran for its role in cracking down viciously on protests and uprisings. This activity type has increased dramatically over the past couple of years, since the formation of the Resistance Units. 

Many Iranians tuned into the online celebrations on Saturday, September 5, sharing images of themselves watching; something that would be a crime under the regime.