As a punishment for protesting Mahsa Amini’s death, an Iranian soccer player will be hanged.
An arrest warrant for 26-year-old Amir Nasr-Azadani was issued in November in connection with the murders of a police colonel and two volunteer militia members.
Nasr-Azadani was also accused of “waging war against God.”
After being arrested for allegedly improperly wearing a hijab, Amini died suddenly in custody in mid-September. While witnesses claim Amini was beaten by Guidance Patrol, the Iranian government claims she died from a heart attack.
The International Federation of Professional Footballers (FIFPRO) described the punishment as “shocking and sickening.”
“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,” wrote the union in its Monday tweet.
“We stand in solidarity with Amir and call for the immediate removal of his punishment.”
During the protests, Nasr-Azadani will be the 28th person sentenced to death – Iran executed its first person in connection with the protests on Thursday. Of the 28 people, three are children.
A friend of Saeid Ezatolahi, a member of Iran’s World Cup team, was shot and killed earlier this month while celebrating Iran’s loss to the United States.
Nasr-Azadani’s last professional appearance was with Tractor Cultural Sports Economic Club in the Persian Gulf Pro League in 2017-2018.