Family Members Of Executed Wrestler Arrested On Visit To His Grave

Three family members of executed Iranian wrestler Navid Afkari were arrested on Tuesday as they wanted to go to his grave for the second anniversary of his execution.

Navid’s sister Elham Afkari, along with one of the four brothers, Habib, and his wife were arrested by security forces who have blocked roads leading to the grave.

Navid Afkari was arrested along with two of his brothers Habib and Vahid during protests in Iran in 2018 and was executed despite international campaigns to save his life. His other brother Saeed said in August that Vahid has been threatened with death in prison in Shiraz.

Habib Afkari was freed after months of solitary confinement in March, but Vahid is sentenced to 54 years and 6 months in prison and 74 lashes and is held in solitary confinement.

On Tuesday, Saeed confirmed the arrest of his family members and also released an audio recording from one of the hearings of Vahid that proved he was not given a fair trial. He initially received a death sentence for an “act of war against God” for his participation in protests, the authorities later charged him and his brothers with the murder of a government employee.

Amnesty International said in June 2021 that Vahid and Habib were being subjected to torture and other ill-treatment in Adel-Abad prison in Shiraz, and were denied access to adequate healthcare, fresh air, telephone calls and face to face family visits.