Executed Wrestler’s Sister Held On Security Charges

The seized sister of a wrestler controversially put to death in Iran has been charged with assembly and collusion to act against national security.

Elham Afkari poses with her brother, Habib Afkari, in an undated photo. Efkan Afkari was reportedly arrested by police in Shiraz, Iran. (CEN)

Iran’s judiciary spokesman Masoud Setayeshi announced the chilling development on 22nd November.

Security forces had arrested Elham Afkari as she tried to flee Iran on 10th November.

Fars News Agency – a semi-official news agency of the Government of Iran – said at the time: “Recently, the agent carried out numerous activities and actions in slandering the Islamic Republic, inviting youth to riot and creating terror among the people.”

Setayeshi claimed: “The accused had extensive connections with media activists and subversive elements inside and outside the country, there is evidence in this case.”

Elham is currently in detention in Adel Abad Prison in Shiraz, where she went on hunger strike before her parents talked her out of it in a phone call, independent media reported.

She had communicated with and transmitted information to Iran International, an independent news organisation in London, government officials claim.

Elham Afkari poses with her brother, Navid Afkari, in an undated photo. Efkan Afkari was reportedly arrested by police in Shiraz, Iran. (CEN)

Her brother Saeed Afkari recently alleged that Elham was interrogated over accusations of propaganda against the regime through “posts and stories about Navid and other killed people”.

Her other brother Navid Afkari was executed in September 2020 after he was convicted of murdering a security guard during the 2018 protests in Iran.

But activists and foreign officials said he had been tortured into giving a false confession and that all he had done was attend anti-government demonstrations on the streets.

Saeed said he had posted bail on 21st November to secure his sister’s release but claimed officials had pocketed the money and failed to free Elham.

Photo shows Elham Afkari blindfolded in an undated photo. Efkan Afkari was reportedly arrested by police in Shiraz, Iran. (CEN)

The ongoing protests in Iran have killed at least 416 people, including 51 children, and injured at least 1,160, according to independent estimates.

It is also understood that more than 17,400 people have been arrested so far.