Demonstrators gather outside the Iranian Embassy in London to protest the execution of wrestler Navid Afkari in Iran on September 12, 2020. -

JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP

The execution of Iranian wrestler Navid Afkari sparked a stir across the world, and the European Union did not fail to voice its revolt at the killing of the young man, accused of murdering an official during protests against the government two years ago.

"The EU condemns in the strongest terms this execution," European Commission spokesperson Peter Stano said in a statement.

Inhuman

“Human rights remain a central element of our engagement with Iran.

We will continue to dialogue with the Iranian authorities on this issue, notably through the local EU representation in Tehran, as well as on individual cases such as this recent execution, ”he added.

"The EU is opposed to the death penalty in all circumstances and in all cases without exception," Stano recalled.

"This is a cruel and inhuman punishment, which has no deterrent effect and which represents an unacceptable denial of human dignity and integrity," he said.

"Parody of justice"

The human rights organization Amnesty International denounced on Saturday the "secret" execution of Navid Afkari, calling it a "parody of justice" after a "manifestly unfair" trial.

The head of the American diplomacy Mike Pompeo was also indignant against this execution "cruel".

The Persian hashtag #Navid_Afkari had been widely shared on Twitter to support the young man and oppose his execution.

World

Iran: The announcement of the execution of a wrestler denounced internationally

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