Political prisoner Navid Afkari, a 27-year-old wrestling champion in Iran, has been executed by the genocidal mullahs’ regime in the early morning hours of Saturday, September 12, according to state-run media.
This horrific crime has taken despite a global campaign calling on the regime to revoke this innocent young man’s death sentence.
A number of governments, international organizations and athletes from across the globe had joined this call to save Navid’s life.
The Iranian regime executed Navid in total defiance of the international community. This desperate yet criminal act by the mullahs’ regime, like the execution of Mostafa Salehi who was also arrested during the Iran protests, is to intimidate the arisen people of Iran and thwart an uprising.
Regarding Navid Afkari’s execution, 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.
The mullahs’ criminal regime hanged #NavidAfkari this morning. The people of #Iran and its brave youth will not remain silent against the cowardly execution of this courageous son of #Shiraz. They will rise in solidarity with the heroic people of Fars.
— Maryam Rajavi (@Maryam_Rajavi) September 12, 2020
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.”
The UNSC, its member states, the @UNHumanRights, the UN High Commissioner for #HumanRights, the EU &all int’l human rights authorities must take practical, effective measures against the regime in #Iran for the execution of #NavidAfkari & 120,000 political prisoners. pic.twitter.com/wCBlMOPSl9
— Maryam Rajavi (@Maryam_Rajavi) September 12, 2020
Afkari, executed for taking part in protests back in August 2018, described the horrific physical and psychological tortures inflicted on him by the regime’s authorities.
“For around 50 days I had to endure the most horrendous physical and psychological tortures. They would beat me with sticks and batons, hitting my arms, legs, abdomen and back. They would place a plastic bag on my head and torture me until I suffocated to the very brink of death. They also poured alcohol into my nose,” the letter reads.
Protests by Iranians supporting the Iranian resistance in various countries
Iranians, supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI-MEK) and the NCRI staged protests in many European countries England, Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Austria, Norway, Switzerland, Sweden and other countries to protest against this brutal execution of Navid Afkari.
The video and some reports of the Iranians demonstrations:
England, London: Supporters of the Iranian resistance protest against the brutal execution of the young champion Navid Afkari with chants of “Down with Khamenei” and “Down with Rouhani”.
#London: Supporters of the Iranian resistance protest against the brutal execution of the young champion #NavidAfkari with chants of "Down with Khamenei" and "Down with Rouhani". They call on @FCDOHumanRights to strongly condemn this heinous crime by the Iranian regime pic.twitter.com/Ugn1g6Y0ya
— Hossein Abedini (@HoAbedini) September 12, 2020
Iranians, supporters of the NCRI and PMOI/MEK stage a protest rally in front of the embassy of the criminal and bloodthirsty mullahs’ regime against the cruel execution of the wrestling champion Navid Afkari. This regime is doomed to collapse.
#London rally by the supporters of the National Council of Resistance of #Iran continue their protest opposite Nr 10 Downing Street+call on the #UK gov, @FCDOGovUK @FCDOHumanRights to strongly condemn the brutal hanging of the young champion #NavidAfkari by the mullahs regime pic.twitter.com/aLMbwBYsbJ
— Hossein Abedini (@HoAbedini) September 12, 2020
Netherlands, Hague – Saturday 12 September 2020: Iranians, supporters of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) and the MEK in Netherland, stage a protest rally in front of the embassy of the criminal and bloodthirsty mullahs’ regime in Hague against the brutal execution of the wrestling champion Navid Afkari. This regime is doomed to collapse.
![](https://iranfreedom.org/en/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Netherland-protest.jpg)
🔻Happening Now
— Iran Freedom (@4FreedominIran) September 12, 2020
This is taking place in the #Netherlands
Iranians demand justice and end to execution of prisoners, protesters and youth#قیام_تنها_جوابه https://t.co/FJSf2BHPbl
Belgium, Brussels: Iranian community supporters of the MEK/ NCRI make an Urgent Action in Brussels in front of Mullahs’ embassy.
Iranian community supporters of the MEK/ NCRI make an Urgent Action in Brussels in front of Mullahs' embassy
— Amin Bagheri (@Amin00Bagheri) September 12, 2020
Today Mullahs' regiem executed Wrestling champion #Navid_Afkari.@4FreedominIran @BelgiumMFA @BelgaNewsAgency pic.twitter.com/dmW36CgSGe
Norway, Oslo: Iranians in Oslo protesting Navid Afkari’s execution, urging for strong actions and strong stance by Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Iranians from the opposition movement in #Oslo take to the streets to condemn the ruthless execution of Navid Afkari this morning #SaturdayThoughts @NorwayMFA @NorwayUN https://t.co/QlEO5yMGj9
— Iran Freedom (@4FreedominIran) September 12, 2020
Iranians in #Oslo protesting #NavidAfkari's execution, urging for strong actions and strong stance by @NorwayMFA#StopExecutionsInIran https://t.co/QrFuBUY3Yd pic.twitter.com/Rh0k9JCM5k
— Women's Committee NCRI (@womenncri) September 12, 2020
Switzerland: Iranian dissidents take up photos of Navid Afkari in Switzerland after his execution this morning to awaken world leaders of continuous crimes against humanity.
Iranian dissidents take up photos of #NavidAfkari in #Switzerland after his execution this morning to awaken world leaders of continuous crimes against humanity.
— Iran Freedom (@4FreedominIran) September 12, 2020
This is how the police reacts, WHY‼️@SwissMFA @Iranian_Youth_S https://t.co/6qSekdrKwk
Sweden: Outside the Swedish Parliament after hearing about execution of Iranian wrestler Navid Afkari.
Outside the #Swedish Parliament after hearing about execution of Iranian wrestler #NavidAfkari
— Iran Freedom (@4FreedominIran) September 12, 2020
Resistant Movement calls for justice & accountability of Human Rights crimes of the mullahs on Fri, 18 Sept.pic.twitter.com/IGxGZ9J5S5
Messages and activities of the MEK supporters (Resistance Units) inside Iran in connection with the execution of Navid Afkari
From Kermanshah in #Iran
— Iran Freedom (@4FreedominIran) September 12, 2020
Iranians leave messages of hope:
Navid will not be forgotten – We will not forgive#نوید_افکاری https://t.co/09lmJQD0Ve