Iranian Soccer Player Faces Death Penalty After Protest Accusation

An Iranian professional soccer player is facing the death penalty for his alleged actions while participating in the nationwide women's rights protests.

In November, Amir Nasr-Azadani, 26, was arrested after participating in the recent Iranian protests and charged in connection with the death of an an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander, according to The National News.

A state-run TV channel later aired footage of the player and two other people giving a purportedly forced confession over the guard's death. Nasr-Azadani reportedly participated in the protests only briefly and chanted anti-government phrases along with others.

Nasr-Azadani is charged with a crime known as moharebeh, which roughly translates as "enmity against God." It carries the death penalty as punishment and National News reported that two others involved in the protests have already been executed for the same charge.

FIFPRO, the Netherlands-based international union for professional soccer players, spoke out against Nasr-Azadani's situation on Tuesday, standing in solidarity with him and calling for his charges to be dropped immediately.

"FIFPRO is shocked and sickened by reports that professional footballer Amir Nasr-Azadani faces execution in Iran after campaigning for women's rights and basic freedom in his country," the organization said in a tweet. "We stand in solidarity with Amir and call for the immediate removal of his punishment."

Protests erupted nationwide in Iran following the September death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini from injuries allegedly suffered while in the custody of Iran's "morality police." Amini was reportedly arrested during a visit to the capital city of Tehran for wearing a hijab that did not meet government standards.

The ensuing protests have seen women publicly burning their own hijab and cutting their hair in protest against the Iranian government's strict rules for women. According to the New York Times, they mark the largest protests in the country since the 2009 Green Revolution, after then-President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was accused of manipulating votes to win reelection.

So far, more than 300 protesters have reportedly been killed by security forces attempting to quell the demonstrations. In a letter in November, a majority of the Iranian parliament called for strong punishment to be leveled against protesters, with some also chanting "death to seditionists."

Nasr-Azadani played three seasons in the Persian Gulf Pro League from 2015 to 2018, the latter two of which he spent with the Tractor Cultural Sports Economic Club as a defender. Prior to that, he played for Sepahan S.C. from 2012 to 2015 in his youth league career.

Newsweek reached out to Iranian officials for comment.