Navid Afkari’s Lawyer Still Has No Access to His Files

Hasan Younesi, the lawyer acting on behalf of the Afkari brothers, has said he is still being blocked from accessing Navid Afkari's file 40 days after the young Iranian’s execution.

"According to the regulations,” Younesi told Emtedad, “the defendant must be examined by a doctor before a death sentence is carried out, and his physical condition must be recorded. Navid Afkari's family and other lawyers in the case are still unclear about both the manner of execution and Navid's state of health."

Younesi went on to expressed concern about Navid Afkari’s brothers, Habib and Vahid, both of whom are facing decades-long prison sentences after taking part in anti-government protests in 2018. Lawyer colleagues in Shiraz, he said, had described their situation as "worrying."

"Since the execution of Navid Afkari's sentence,” he said, “Vahid and Habib have been kept off the public prison wards. During this time, family members and lawyers have not had any meetings with them.

"This is against the law. According to the prison regulations, convicts should only ever be held in public wards, under the supervision of the Prisons' Organization. In addition, according to the same regulations, keeping the accused in closed detention centers can only be permitted by a written indictment from the judicial authorities.”

Follow-up attempts to view the recorded minutes of Navid’s execution, Younesi said, had also so far come to nothing: "According to the law, Navid's representatives and next of kin have the right to have access to these minutes and learn how it was conducted."

Navid Afkari was a champion wrestler who had joined widespread demonstrations in Iran in autumn 2018. He was arrested and accused of murdering a security guard at Shiraz Water and Sewerage Company, and later sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court. Despite an international campaign against the verdict, and without the usual advance warning, Navid was executed at dawn on September 12, 2020.

Navid and his brothers had been subjected to beatings and torture in detention before giving forced confessions. In a call to his family before the execution, Navid stated that the beatings had been recorded by a medical team.

"Vahid and Habib Afkari have complained about this issue,” Younesi said, “and the judicial authorities and prison officials are obligated to investigate this complaint. It is imperative that the lawyers have access to the forensic reports, and to legal meetings with their two clients, so that they can pursue these complaints.”

Navid and Vahid Afkari were arrested on September 17, 2018, followed by Habib Afkari on December 13, 2018. Navid was handed two separate death sentences by the Revolutionary Court and Shiraz Criminal Court. Vahid Afkari was sentenced to 54 years and six months in prison, and 74 lashes, and Habib Afkari to 27 years and three months in prison and 74 lashes.

Related coverage:

Three Imprisoned Brothers Beaten and Denied Medical Help

Shockwaves in Iran Over Sudden Execution of Navid Afkari

Afkari’s Execution Will Leave Iranian Athletes Out in the Cold

Judiciary Statement on Afkari's Execution Riddled with Legal Issues

Fears Mounting Over Fate of Navid Afkari's Two Imprisoned Brothers