By executing young protesters, the Iranian regime wants to set an example for young people and discourage them from taking to the streets. However, according to Sepiedeh Orafa, president of Young Iranian Netherlands, the executions only fuel popular anger. This comes after two executions of 23-year-old protesters. The fact that a 26-year-old professional footballer is on his way to the gallows is shocking in football-loving Iran; “You see many other former professional footballers condemn it.”
Last and this week, Iranian rulers hanged two 23-year-old Iranians, which led to much international commotion, but also furious protests in Iran itself. Meanwhile, lists of the following possible victims, such as professional footballer Amir Nasr-Azadani, are also circulating in the Iranian media. Azadani, who played for Tractor SC, faces execution for participating in the protests. According to Orafa, however, there is a lot to say about it: “He would have been involved in the deaths of revolutionary militias, but according to eyewitnesses he was not even close to where it happened.”
Shocked and disgusted
Orafa finds it significant that 27 days after his arrest it is already clear that Azadani will be executed; “This shows how careless these trials are.” And to put it mildly, 23-year-old Majidreza Rahnavard, who was hanged last week, was not allowed to choose his own lawyer or see the evidence against him, let alone challenge him. According to the players’ association FIFPRO, Azadani will be executed “after campaigning for women’s rights and freedom in his country”.
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Painful
Orafa calls the death sentences “painful, but not unexpected”. “We all saw it coming. We know that the regime does not hesitate to execute people. There are also many executions outside the protests.’ According to the human rights organization Iran Human Rights, the Tehran regime has already executed at least 500 people this year, the highest number in five years. More than 18,000 people are estimated to have been arrested for participating in the protests.
young
According to Orafa, the regime is doing it to set an example for young people. He doubts that he can discourage; ‘A line has been crossed, people do not want and cannot go back. We see protests continuing despite two executions this week. This fuels popular anger. Yesterday many people gathered at the grave of Mohsen Shekari, the first boy to be executed.’
Source: BNR
Sharon Rock is an author and journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. She has a passion for learning about different cultures and understanding the complexities of the world. With a talent for explaining complex global issues in an accessible and engaging way, Sharon has become a respected voice in the field of world news journalism.
