The brother of Iranian kickboxer Benyamin Naghdi, who has been sentenced to death for participating in anti-regime protests, is pleading with President Donald Trump to intervene and help save his life. Arash Naghdi, Benyamin's brother, implored the U.S. president to use ongoing negotiations with Iran to pressure the Iranian leadership to halt the execution.
Benyamin Naghdi, a former member of Iran's national kickboxing team, was sentenced to death in May. His conviction stems from charges of "enmity against God" after he allegedly used a makeshift flamethrower to defend himself and other protesters from security forces during demonstrations in January. The Iranian Supreme Court upheld the death sentence on July 30, leaving the family with limited time to seek recourse. The family has not received an exact date for the execution but fears it is imminent.
Arash Naghdi described his brother as emaciated and potentially tortured, recounting a call where Benyamin threatened self-harm to delay the execution. He stated that his brother was attempting to protect himself and fellow protesters from security forces pursuing them on motorcycles, a scene captured in video footage. "He acted in self defense," Arash insisted.
The family has faced immense psychological distress, with parents being allowed a "final goodbye" two months ago. Arash Naghdi has also received threatening phone calls and fears arrest for speaking out, yet feels compelled to seek international intervention. "Please help us, do everything you can to save my brother," he pleaded.
Benyamin Naghdi, 26, was the primary financial support for his family, stepping up after his father's health declined due to exposure during the Iran-Iraq War. He worked various jobs to provide for his parents and younger sister. Rapid inflation and economic mismanagement, exacerbated by U.S. sanctions, made it difficult for him to save money.
According to Arash, his brother was not initially politically inclined but joined the protests due to the severe economic hardships and a perceived lack of future prospects. "He went because of the hardships he was living through, The feeling that he had no future, he couldn’t make meet or provide money for his family," Arash said.
Since March, Iran has executed at least 56 individuals on charges that the family claims are trumped up, including 27 arrested during the January protests. In late July, the regime publicly hanged two protesters in Isfahan, footage of which reportedly worsened Benyamin's mental state. He spent months in solitary confinement before being transferred to general population after a 10-day hunger strike less than a month ago.
President Trump previously vowed "very strong action" against Iran if it executed protesters and stated that the regime had previously called off executions at his behest. However, on August 3, Iran executed political prisoners Omid Behzad and Pouria Safvat, who were convicted of spying for Israel.