Mientras se disputaba el Mundial Qatar 2022, uno de los casos más sonados fue el del futbolista Amir Nasr Azadani, quien fue sentenced to death penalty due to his participation in protests in favor of women's rights in Iran. The events generated the reaction of various organizations and, after a few weeks, the regime of Ebrahim Raisi decided to sentence the athlete to 26 years in prison.
Let's remember that, in the midst of the World Cup, the International Federation of Professional Footballers (Fifpro) issued a statement about this incident and demanded the "immediate elimination of his punishment".
Although the authorities denied that he would be executed, the latest reports from the Mizad agency mentioned that the defender of FC Iranjavan Bushehr was accused of committing "crimes against God" or "moharebeh", with the argument that he was involved in the murder of three security force members and that he was part of illegal groups.
Amir Nasr Azadani played as a right back. Photo: Instagram/Amir Nasr Azadani.
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As it is known, repression in Iran intensified after the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody. She was arrested for not wearing the Islamic veil 'correctly' and her death triggered a series of protests.
Since the protests began, various human rights organizations have highlighted that nearly 500 people have lost their lives. One of the most lamentable cases was the public execution of wrestler Majid Reza Rahnavard.