Iran hangs 27-year-old wrestler Navid Afkari despite Trump's appeal, sparks global outrage

Iran has executed a young wrestler, Navid Afkari, for allegedly murdering a man during anti-government protests back in 2018 despite massive international appeals for him to be spared.

Among  list of table names campaigning for Afkari, US President Donald Trump had also appealed to Iran for a stay on 27-year-old wrestler’s execution. Human rights body Amnesty International has described wrestler’s execution as a travesty of justice. Navid Afkari was arrested in 2018 along with his two brors who were also given lengthy sentences. According to state media, young wrestler was hanged in sourn city of Shiraz.

Read: Iran Airs Televised Confession Of Wrestler After Trump Tweet

Wrestler's condemnation draws international condemnation

Navid Afkari's arrest and subsequent sentencing have drawn international attention and sparked international outr. Global sporting bodies, like International Olympic Committee (IOC), have decried his execution and called it 'very sad news'. IOC, in a statement, said Iran igred ‘pleas of athletes from around world’.

Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump appealed to Iranian authorities to release Navid as his only crime was to protest Iran’s “worsening ecomic situation and inflation”. Following news of Navid's execution, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeted about condemning act in strongest terms.

Read: Dana White Asks Donald Trump To Save Wrestler Navid Afkari Who’s Sentenced To Die In Iran

As per a tweet from Navid’s lawyer, young wrestler was even denied right to meet his family one last time before execution. Under Iranian law, prisoners are permitted to meet ir families before execution. Navid Afkari was a national champion in wrestling which is a highly popular sport in Iran.

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Read: Iran Executes Man Whose Case Drew International Attention