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The Iranian sports stars being arrested, jailed and executed as anti-government protests continue


 Iranian sports stars have been arrested, sentenced to death and executed as authorities continue to brutally clamp down on protests.

Human rights organisations say the regime is trying to "make an example" of athletes, some of whom have taken part in demonstrations or shown solidarity through acts of defiance abroad.

The recent execution of karate champion Mohammad Mehdi Karami and 16 years in prison for footballer Amir Nasr-Azadani are just two of the latest punishments handed out to sporting figures.

Protests have rocked Iran for several months following the death of Mahsa Amini while in custody of the morality police.

Ms Amini, who was 22, is being held up as a symbol and rallying cry for change, while the regime's heavy-handed response has seen the deaths of at least 519 protesters, according to the activist HRANA news agency.

Nina Navid, Amnesty International UK's Iran campaigner, said the regime's crackdown via sport "isn't surprising".

She told Sky News: "It was always likely that the Iranian authorities would try to make an example of prominent sporting figures supporting the "Woman, Life, Freedom" protests, and that seems to be exactly what's happening.

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