After the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, large protests broke out in Iran.
One who was involved in the protests against the Iranian regime was soccer player Amir Nasr-Azadani.
The 26-year-old has been accused of participating in violent riots, in connection with which three security guards died.
According to Sky News, Nasr-Azadani is believed to have participated in "hostile actions against God".
The football player is said to have risked the death penalty, which he now avoids.
Instead, he has been sentenced to 16 years in prison.
Sky News reports that three other people were sentenced to death, in a trial that human rights groups called a sham.
"A person who cares about others"
- If Amir were to participate in a protest, he would do it to stand up for basic rights for women, because he is the kind of person who cares about others.
I can't see him as someone waging a war against God, says Nasr-Azadani's former teammate Sebastian Strandvall according to Sky News.
Amir Nasr-Azadani has previously played for Iranjavan, Tractor Sazi and Rah Ahan, some of Iran's biggest football clubs.
CLIP: Iran's team captain on the protests in the country (November 21, 2022):
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