Iran: Across the World Supporters of the MEK Protest the Tragic Execution of Wrestling Champion Navid Afkari

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Staff Writer
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execution of wrestling champion Navid Afkari
Across the world, Iranians and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI-MEK) and National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) have held protests in defiance of Afkari’s execution.

execution of wrestling champion Navid Afkari

On the morning of 12 September 2020, political prisoner, Navid Afkari was executed for participating in the 2018 protests against the Iranian regime. Afkari was a 27-year-old wrestling champion in Iran and was used as an example by the regime to intimidate anyone wishing to oppose their order.

There was a global outcry against Afkari’s death sentence, with a number of governments, high-profile figures, and organizations calling for a stay of execution. However, the regime disregarded this international pressure and have committed yet another heinous human rights violation.

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.

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” she concluded.

While imprisoned, Afkari was subjected to shocking physical and psychological torture by the regime’s forces. Afkari described these atrocities in a letter he wrote from prison:
“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.

Global protests in support of the Iranian resistance

Across the world, Iranians and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI / MEK Iran) and National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) have held protests in defiance of Afkari’s execution. Protests took place in England, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Sweden amongst others.

London, England: Iranians and supporters of the MEK and NCRI in London staged a protest in front of the Iranian embassy against the tragic execution of Navid Afkari. They chanted “down with Khamenei” and “down with Rouhani” in opposition to the oppressive regime.

Hague, Netherlands: On 12 September 2020 Iranians and supporters of the MEK and NCRI in the Netherlands gathered in front of the Iranian embassy to protest the brutal execution of Afkari and the oppressive regime of the mullahs.

Belgium, Brussels: Iranians and supporters of the MEK and NCRI protested in front of the Iranian embassy to demand justice and an end to the crimes of the Iranian regime.

Norway, Oslo: Iranians and supporters of the MEK and NCRI protested in front of the Iranian embassy calling for the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to speak out against the execution of Afkari and the regime.

Switzerland: Iranians and supporters of the MEK and NCRI and in Switzerland displayed photos of Navid Afkari to protest his brutal execution.

Sweden: Iranians and supporters of the MEK and NCRI protested outside the Swedish Parliament to bring attention to the execution of Afkari and the crimes of the regime.

MEK supporters and resistance units inside Iran also shared their messages of protest against the execution of the martyr Navid Afkari and the brutal oppression of the Iranian regime.

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