Soccer Player Avoids Death Penalty for 'Ban-gukjeong Siwi' Protest... Sentenced to 26 Years in Prison

Iran Judiciary Sentences 17 Protesters to Death
4 Executed Already... Public Executions Also Carried Out

Placard urging the release of Iranian football players. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] Iranian professional soccer player Amir Nasr-Azadani (26), who was arrested after participating in anti-government protests, has avoided the death penalty.

On the 9th (local time), according to Iran's semi-official Mehr News Agency, the judiciary sentenced Nasr-Azadani to 26 years in prison on charges of conspiring to kill security forces. Nasr-Azadani was indicted for involvement in the killing of three security personnel, including militia members, during protests in the central Iranian city of Isfahan on November 16 last year. Nasr-Azadani was charged with "Moharebeh" (enmity against God, a crime denying Islam), which carries a maximum penalty of death if convicted.

On the 23rd of last month, foreign media such as CNN reported, "While the West was engrossed in Christmas celebrations, Iran was on the verge of executing at least 43 people," among whom Nasr-Azadani was included. At that time, Supreme Court Chief Justice Asadollah Jafari stated, "We have obtained videos and sufficient documents proving Nasr-Azadani is a member of an armed group, and he has already confessed," making the death sentence highly likely.

In response, the International Federation of Professional Footballers (FIFPro) requested Iranian authorities not to sentence Nasr-Azadani to death, and some even sought the execution site fearing he might be executed.

Meanwhile, on the 9th, the Iranian judiciary sentenced Saleh Mirasemi, Majid Kazemi, and Saeed Yaghoubi to death for killing security forces in Isfahan. Including these three, a total of 17 protest participants have been sentenced to death so far.

Despite international criticism, the Iranian judiciary has executed four anti-government protest participants who were sentenced to death. On the 8th of last month, Mosen Shekari (23) was executed for occupying Tehran roads and injuring security forces with weapons, followed by the execution of Majidreza Rahnavard (23) on the 12th. Notably, Rahnavard's execution was carried out publicly on city streets, shocking many.

Then, on the 7th, sentences were carried out on Mohammad Karami (22) and Mohammad Hoseini (39), bringing the total number of those executed due to anti-government protests to four. Upon news of additional executions, the United Nations Human Rights Office stated, "Unfair trials based on confessions obtained under coercion have taken place," and urged "an immediate halt to all executions."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.