Iranian Player Amir Nasr-Azadani Sentenced to Hanging for Voicing Women's Rights, FIFPRO Reacts Strongly

JAKARTA - Iranian footballer Amir Nasr-Azadani was sentenced to hang for campaigning for women's rights and basic freedoms. This information was conveyed by the Professional Players Union (FIFPRO) in a statement on their official Twitter.

FIFPRO also condemned the decision and requested that the sentence be lifted immediately.

"FIFPRO is shocked and disgusted by reports that professional footballer Amir Nasr-Azadani is facing execution in Iran after campaigning for women's rights and basic freedoms in his country", said a FIFPRO tweet.

Amir Nasr-Azadani, 26, is one of the most active footballers campaigning for women's rights since the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in September.

Amini died in custody after being arrested for refusing to comply with Iran's strict dress code for women. Amini's death then triggered a wave of massive demonstrations.

The Iranian national team even joined in showing solidarity with the protesters when they refused to sing the national anthem in Qatar's 2022 World Cup opener against England.

According to Iran Wire, Amir Nasr-Azadani was sentenced to death because he was linked to the deaths of Colonel Esmaeil Cheraghi and two members of the Basij.

The same source said that Nasr-Azadani was often present at national protests, but he was not there when the killings occurred. However, he is understood to have appeared on state television with two other defendants on November 20 and read confessions that were allegedly forced.

"We stand in solidarity with Amir and call for his sentence to be lifted immediately", the tweet continued.

According to Iran's Mizan news agency, Nasr-Azadani will meet the same fate as Iranian wrestler Majid Reza Rahnavard. Rahnavard was publicly executed for being vocal against the treatment of women in Iran.

In total Iran has executed two people so far in connection with the anti-government protests. On December 8, a 23-year-old youth named Mohsen Shekari was hanged after being found guilty by a revolutionary tribunal of "warring against God".

Following on December 12, it was Rahnavard's turn to be publicly hanged for killing two members of the security forces.