The grave of a man executed by Iranian authorities has been destroyed. While it is unknown exactly who was behind the act of vandalism, both the man's brother and father who were near the grave before it was destroyed were arrested by Iranian police and removed from the area before the incident occurred.
Navid Afkari, who was a champion wrestler, was hung in September in an Iranian prison for his involvement in anti-government protests in 2018. During these protests, it is alleged that he murdered a man, but many have called doubt upon the evidence provided at trial and upon the fairness of the trial Afkari was given.
Afkari, was executed officially for the crime of an "act of war against God".
The execution of Afkari and now the desecration of his grave has caused large-scale public anger in Iran, however due to the country's lockdown and the state's curtailment of the free-press it is as yet unclear just what impact these events may have in the long-run.
Afkari's sister Elham took to Instagram to show the destruction of the grave and vent her fury. She wrote alongside a picture of the grave:
"You can threaten, destroy, or arrest, what are you going to do with Navid's name and memory in people's hearts?"
While Masih Alinejad, an Iranian journalist who now runs the campaign group 'United for Navid', tweeted:
"After executing innocent #NavidAfkari, a champion wrestler, and imprisoning his 2 brothers, Islamic Republic of Iran has now desecrated Navid's grave. He's not even allowed to rest in peace. How much more should this poor family suffer? The world, hear this family."
After executing innocent #NavidAfkari, a champion wrestler, and imprisoning his 2 brothers, Islamic Republic of Iran has now desecrated Navid's grave. He's not even allowed to rest in peace. How much more should this poor family suffer? The world, hear this family#United4Navid pic.twitter.com/MwfTI9Vsnm
— Masih Alinejad 🏳️ (@AlinejadMasih) December 18, 2020
For the crime of standing up to the Iranian regime, at the same protests in 2018, Afkari's brother Vahid was sentenced to 56 years in prison while his other brother Habib was sentenced to 24 years. They also received 74 lashes.
Afkari's execution was opposed by a whole range of government and sporting bodies, including the European Union, the United States, the International Olympic Committee and the Ultimate Fighting Championship. There is now a suggestion that Iran will be banned from taking part in the Olympic games as a result of the execution.
The 2018 protests were sparked in response to the declining economic situation within Iran following strict US and EU sanctions, and as a result of the falling price of oil. There have also been calls within the country for many years, particularly among the youth, for a more democratic and open society. This is in opposition to the theocratic leadership Iran has experienced since the Iranian Islamic revolution of 1979.
COMMENTS