The world expresses shock, sickened by reports that footballer Amir Nasr-Azadani faces execution in Iran after playing for FIFA.
FPRO, the worldwide representative organization for professional footballers, expressed shock at reports that Iran will execute Amir Nasr-Azadani. The global body also demanded “immediate” removal of the punishment.
The statement reports, “FIFPRO is shocked and sickened by reports that professional footballer Amir Nasr-Azadani faces execution in Iran after campaigning for women’s rights and basic freedom in his country,” the statement read.
Over the globe and a special hashtag runs from Spain speaking up for Amir Nasr. Also, FIFPRO is shocked and sickened by reports that professional footballer Amir Nasr-Azadani faces execution in Iran after campaigning for women’s rights and basic freedom in his country.
Here’s a detailed look at who is Amir Nasr-Azadani and why he faces execution in Iran.
According to IranWire, Nasr-Azadani is a 26-year-old footballer in Iran who has played in Iran’s premier league and for the national youth team. He had taken the field for teams like Rah-Ahan Tehran FC, Tractor SC, and Gol-e Rayhan.
Why does he face execution?
As per reports, Nasr-Azadani has been sentenced to be hanged for the death of Colonel Esmaeil Cheraghi and two Basij members on 17th November. Basij is one of the forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. It has also been reported that Nasr-Azadani appeared on state television on 20 November and read his confession.
It is also said that Nasr-Azadani was not present in the area where Cheraghi and the two Basij members were killed.
Iran is currently facing nationwide protests that have been sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini. The 22-year-old died in custody after her detention by the morality police for flouting the country’s dress code. The protests by the citizens of Iran calling for more freedom have led to hundreds of death, mostly from protestors but some from security forces as well.
According to Human Rights Activists in Iran, a group that’s been monitoring the protests, at least 488 people have been killed since the protests began in mid-September. And 18,200 people have been detained by authorities.
Has Iran executed anyone so far?
Iran has executed two people so far in relation to the anti-government protests. On 8 December, a 23-year-old named Mohsen Shekari was hanged after he was found guilty by a revolutionary court of “waging war against God”.
On 12 December, Majidreza Rahnavard was publicly hanged from a crane after he was convicted of killing two members of the security forces.
The morning before he was executed, the mother of Majidreza Rahnavard was taken to meet him, but there was no word of execution and his mother left with a smile and hope that her son will be released.
The morning before he was executed, the mother of Majidreza Rahnavard was taken to meet him, but there was no word of execution and his mother left with a smile and hope that her son will be released. 💔 #IranRevoIution #MahsaAmini pic.twitter.com/gKf5NJwdwl
— Emily Schrader – אמילי שריידר امیلی شریدر (@emilykschrader) December 13, 2022
Extraordinary bravery from #MajidrezaRahnavard saying his final words before being executed. His murderers so proud and sure of what they are doing they’re wearing balaclavas to hide their identity ⬇️ https://t.co/aWh6Le4A2A
— Omid Djalili (@omid9) December 16, 2022
Spanish People Raising Voices for Amir Nasr
It has been very sad to see that NO ONE has remembered Amir Nasr-Azadani in the final, the Iranian player sentenced to death for protesting against the repression of women in his country It was an excellent moment for his companions to try to stop his execution It was not so
Ha sido muy triste comprobar que NADIE se ha acordado en la final de Amir Nasr-Azadani, el jugador iraní condenado a muerte por protestar contra la represión de las mujeres en su país
Era un momento inmejorable para que sus compañeros tratasen de parar su ejecución
No fue así pic.twitter.com/TSk83cVrR1
— Víctor Gutiérrez (@victorg91) December 18, 2022
If Amir is murdered for supporting women’s rights in Iran, while a World Cup was being played, without any of the protagonists of this FIFA parody called Qatar 22 being raised, it will be unforgivable. It’s not politics, it’s human principles and values.
Si asesinan a Amir por apoyar los derechos de las mujeres en Irán, mientras se jugaba un Mundial, sin que ninguno de los protagonistas de esta parodia de FIFA llamada Qatar 22 se plante, será imperdonable. No es política, son principios y valores humanos.https://t.co/YpJ1zQzOq9
— Oscar Camps (@campsoscar) December 16, 2022
They won the World Cup but lost the opportunity to vindicate the women of Iran and those sentenced to death for supporting them in the final ceremony. They have not even had the courage and solidarity to support their partner
Amir Nasr-Azadani
Then they talk about values in sport
Ganaron el mundial, pero perdieron la oportunidad de reivindicar en la ceremonia final a las mujeres de Irán y a los condenados a muerte por apoyarlas. Ni siquiera han tenido la valentía y solidaridad de apoyar al compañero
Amir Nasr-Azadani
Luego hablan de valores en el deporte pic.twitter.com/1fU5SKNRgz— Angeles Blanco Rguez (@mablanco60) December 18, 2022
A fat mobilization has not yet been organized, sanctions against Iran, a commercial blockade, and the suspension of the Qatar World Cup due to the barbarity of the death sentence (the murder) of Amir Nasr-Azadani for defending the rights of Iranian women. Inaction makes us complicit
Aún no se ha organizado una movilización gorda, sanciones a Irán, bloqueo comercial, suspensión del mundial de Qatar ante la barbaridad de la condena a muerte (el asesinato) de Amir Nasr-Azadani por defender los derechos de las mujeres iraníes. La inacción nos hace cómplices pic.twitter.com/SNm20N5IXe
— Beatriz Rico (@bearicoactriz) December 18, 2022
That this man can be hanged for participating in a demonstration in favor of women’s rights is terrifying. And that it cannot be avoided, despite the unanimous rejection of most of the world, would be very bad news for “humanity”.
With the same determination with which we ask that the death of Amir Nasr-Azadani, a former soccer player, sentenced to death for being part of the protests in Iran, be avoided, WE ASK THAT THE DEATH OF TCNEL (Ex) IGBER JOSÉ MARIN CHAPARRO BE AVOIDED SENTENCED TO DEATH BY MADURO.
Con la misma determinación con la que pedimos que se evite la muerte de Amir Nasr-Azadani es un ex futbolista, condenado a muerte por ser parte de las protestas en Irán, PEDIMOS QUE SE EVITE LA MUERTE DE TCNEL (Ej) IGBER JOSÉ MARIN CHAPARRO CONDENADO A MUERTE POR MADURO. pic.twitter.com/wiPh1Jkiis
— RAÚL EMILIO BADUEL C (@RBADUEL) December 18, 2022
Is the @ONU_es not going to stop the execution of Amir Nasr-Azadani?
Are the clubs not going to refuse to play the @fifaworldcup_es final if this madness is not stopped?
They are going to murder a 26-year-old boy for defending something as basic as that women should have human rights.
Footballer #AmirNasrAzadani has been sentenced to death by the Iranian regime for supporting the protestors. Call for IOC & FIFA to suspend NOC of the Islamic Republic of Iran & Football Federation – Sign the Petition! chng.it/Q98MwYht #StopExecutionInIran
Footballer #AmirNasrAzadani has been sentenced to death by the Iranian regime for supporting the protestors. Call for IOC & FIFA to suspend NOC of the Islamic Republic of Iran & Football Federation – Sign the Petition! https://t.co/NQTclk0gs2#StopExecutionInIran
— Nazanin Boniadi (@NazaninBoniadi) December 18, 2022