Iran's senior adviser on Iranian affairs has announced new sanctions against a number of senior officials in Tehran, including the judge who sentenced to death wrestler Nabid Afkari
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Elliott Abrams, President Trump's top adviser on Iran's Venezuelan affairs, announced today (Thursday) a series of new sanctions against Iranian institutions and individuals, as part of Washington's intention to increase economic pressure on the regime in the Islamic Republic.
Among the people who will be sanctioned is also the judge who sentenced to death Navid Apkari, an internationally renowned wrestler who was convicted of killing security forces during a protest against the regime in the country in 2018. The execution of Afkri drew international criticism of the regime's conduct and repression of opposition and protest.
Afkari's case has received international acclaim, even from the President of the United States himself.
In September, before the wrestler was executed, President Trump tweeted: "To hear that Iran is looking to execute a wonderful and popular wrestling star whose only act was a demonstration against the government on the streets. They protested the 'dire economic situation and inflation. A soldier of this young man and you will not execute him. Thank you! "
The new sanctions are just part of a much broader move against Tehran.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced two days ago new US sanctions on the Iranian Ministry of Defense, Iran's nuclear program, and figures associated with the two institutions.
According to the Secretary of State, the imposition of sanctions is part of a comprehensive move to reinstate all sanctions agreed by the UN before the nuclear deal.