Another Iranian bodybuilding champion has been shot, this time fatally after he was hit in the face at point-blank range.

The shot left such horrific injuries that it was not possible to physically identify Erfan Nazari, who was one of the top bodybuilders in Iran.

Local media reported that he had been snatched after taking part in anti-government protests in the capital Tehran three days ago and his family have now been told to come and collect his body by police.

It was claimed that he had been tortured before being shot in the head.

His death follows the arrest of Kurdish bodybuilder Reza Olfati who was reportedly arrested in the western Kermanshah province when dozens of security agents raided the house where he was visiting a friend on 30th October.

Olfati had won several regional championships and was also part of the national team where he was ranked fourth.

He was reportedly injured after being shot almost a month ago during a demonstration in the provincial capital Kermanshah.

It is believed police had initially searched for him at his home in Kermanshah but after his injury, he was staying with his father in Gilangreb, so they did not find him.

But later, when he moved back to his hometown town, he was arrested at the home of a friend.

He is apparently being held in the offices of the Kermanshah Security Services.

Iranian forces have been cracking down on waves of civil disorder following the death of Mahsa Amini, 22, from Saqqez, Kurdistan Province, who was on a visit to Tehran when she was arrested by the morality police, accused of violating hijab rules on 13th September.

She was allegedly beaten while in custody and spent the following days in a coma in the hospital before succumbing in the ICU on 16th September.