Iran denies Azadani has been sentenced to death

Apparently it is not true that Amir Nasr-Azadani is going to be sentenced to death, at least not at the moment. The Iranian embassy in Colombia came out to deny the rumours which had spread like wildfire across social media. They stressed that the footballer's trial had not taken place yet. As a result, it is impossible for him to have been told that he will be killed. 

"Fake news on the death sentence for an Iranian footballer. Azadani is the fifth man accused in a criminal case. He is accused of being a member of an armed group which killed three police officers and security officials with automatic weapons," the first tweet read which also included a screenshot. 

"The trial has not taken place yet. Therefore, news of him being sentenced to death is an absolute lie. In the brutal actions of the troublemakers, 50 policemen and security officials have died and hundreds of others have been injured. In hybrid warfare, fake news continues," the Iranian Government said. 

But why is there still concern across the world? Because other current and former sportsmen and women have been sentenced to death for going against the Government. The only thing which separates Amir Nasr-Azadani from death could be the amount of media coverage the case is getting. Given the widespread condemnation of Iran and the uproar there would be across the international community if the execution is carried out, Iran could decide to free him. 

 

December 19, 2022