TEHRAN, Iran: President Donald Trump has urged Iran not to execute a popular wrestler who authorities say killed a man during 2018 anti-government rallies.
Citing reports on the death sentence for 27-year-old Navid Afkari, Trump said in a Thursday tweet: “... To the leaders of Iran, I would greatly appreciate if you would spare this young man’s life, and not execute him. Thank you!”
Judiciary authorities in Iran say Afkari was sentenced to death for the death of Hassan Torkaman, a water supply company employee in the southern city of Shiraz, following an anti-government protest over economic problems.
A provincial court in Shiraz sentenced Afkari to death and his brothers Vahid Afkari and Habib Afkari to 54 and 27 years in prison, respectively. All three were construction workers.
The July verdicts that were reported in August prompted an outcry both in Iran and internationally.
Earlier this week, the Afkaris’ mother, Behieh Namjou, in a video that circulated on social media, claimed the three men confessed to the killing under torture. She pleaded to authorities for mercy for her children.
The news website of Iran’s judiciary, Mizanonline, on Monday denied Afkari had been tortured and called the Greco-Roman wrestler a “murderer of an innocent citizen.”
Hassan Younesi, Afkari’s lawyer, told the semiofficial ILNA news agency that there is no evidence showing Afkari had a role the victim’s death and has requested a retrial.
In 2018, protests broke out in several Iranian cities over the country’s falling currency and economic woes that led to a violent encounter between police and protesters. It came after Trump in May that year pulled the US out of the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and major world powers and imposed sanctions on Iran that has sent the country’s economy into free fall.
Trump urges Iran to spare life of popular wrestler
https://arab.news/4btng
Trump urges Iran to spare life of popular wrestler
- ‘.. To the leaders of Iran, I would greatly appreciate if you would spare this young man’s life, and not execute him. Thank you!’
Jordan-India partnership expanding across trade, technology and energy, says envoy
- Indian Ambassador to Jordan Manish Chauhan described ties between the two countries as longstanding and built on mutual trust
AMMAN: Jordan and India are deepening cooperation across a wide range of sectors including trade, digital technology, renewable energy and infrastructure, Indian Ambassador to Jordan Manish Chauhan said Saturday.
Speaking to Jordan News Agency, Chauhan described ties between the two countries as longstanding and built on mutual trust, adding that relations span political, economic, defense, security, cultural and educational cooperation.
He said regular political dialogue continues between the two countries, and highlighted the fourth round of foreign ministry consultations held in Amman in April 2025 and a fifth round due to take place in New Delhi.
Chauhan also highlighted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Jordan as a major milestone, coinciding with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
During the visit, Modi praised the leadership of King Abdullah II and said Jordan and India share a “strong” contemporary partnership rooted in deep cultural ties.
The Indian premier also commended Jordan’s growing role as a regional bridge connecting markets and fostering business and economic growth.
The ambassador said discussions between King Abdullah II and Modi highlighted a shared commitment to expanding cooperation, particularly in renewable energy, water management, digital transformation, cultural exchange and heritage.
India is Jordan’s third-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade valued at about $2.8 billion, JNA reported.
Chauhan said both sides are now working toward doubling trade to $5 billion over the next five years.
He added that opportunities for business collaboration are emerging in several sectors, including digital public infrastructure, fintech, health-tech and agri-tech, as well as sectors such as pharmaceuticals, medical devices, green mobility, agriculture, food processing and heritage tourism.
On regional issues, Chauhan highlighted India’s longstanding support for Palestine, adding that New Delhi was among the first non-Arab states to recognize the Palestine Liberation Organization in the 1970s and the Palestinian state in 1988.
The ambassador said that the Indian Embassy in Amman remained committed to advancing the growing partnership in close coordination with Jordanian counterparts.
