Amir Nasr-Azadani: Iranian footballer sentenced to 16 years in prison for taking part in protests

Iranian footballer Amir Nasr-Azadani has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for taking part in nationwide protests, local media reported.

The 26-year-old was found guilty of “partaking in enmity against God” in relation to the killing of three security officers in the city of Isfahan on 16 November, according to Tasnim News Agency, which is affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Local news reports suggested his confession was coerced, with members of his family ordered to stay silent.

Three other protesters were sentenced to death in the same trial, which human rights groups have called a sham.

The rulings are preliminary and can be appealed in the Supreme Court.

A former teammate of Nasr-Azadani has previously said the court ruling was absurd.

“Knowing Amir’s character, he would go to a protest… he and his friends, would stand up for basic rights, for women’s rights of course because he is the sort of the person who cares about others. But I don’t see him doing a war on God or anything,” Sebastian Strandvall said.

The captain of top flight side VPS Vaasa said while his friend may have participated in the demonstrations, he does not believe he would commit a violent act.

Iran executes four over demonstrations

It comes after Iran executed two men convicted of allegedly killing a paramilitary volunteer during a demonstration, bringing the total number of executions since demonstrations began in September to four.

Nationwide protests broke out over the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old who was arrested by Iran’s morality police for allegedly violating the Islamic Republic’s strict dress code.

Many women have attended the protests, often without the mandatory hijab head covering in reference to Ms Amini’s death.

Tribunals heavily criticised

The tribunals of those accused of taking part in the protests have been heavily criticised. They do not allow those on trial to pick their own lawyers or even see the evidence against them.

Amnesty International has said the trials “bore no resemblance to a meaningful judicial processing”.

Two other men were executed in December after being accused of crimes linked to the protests.

Those sentenced to death are typically hung from construction cranes in public.

At least 517 protesters have been killed and more than 19,200 arrested as of Friday, rights group Human Rights Activist in Iran said. Iranian authorities have not provided an official count of those killed or detained.