From Center for Human Rights Iran. Excerpt:

The Islamic Republic’s persecution of athletes for peacefully supporting anti-state protests that have been ongoing throughout the country since September 2022 should be publicly condemned by sports federations and the international community, said the Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI).

Women and male athletes have been shot and killed, sentenced to death by kangaroo courts, disappeared and tortured after being arbitrarily detained for supporting the protests that arose after 22-year-old Jina Mahsa Amini was killed while in state custody after her detainment for an alleged improper hijab.

“Islamic Republic authorities are targeting athletes as part of a systematic campaign of repression aimed at crushing dissent, especially among those with large fan bases or large social media followings,” said CHRI Executive Director Hadi Ghaemi.

Read the full article here.