Iran kickboxing champion faces execution after Supreme Court upholds death sentence

The Supreme Court of Iran has upheld the death sentence for 26-year-old Benjamin Naghdi, a former national kickboxing champion. Naghdi was arrested during anti-government protests in January and was sentenced to death in May on charges of "corruption" and allegations involving the use of a fire extinguisher against security forces.

His brother, Aras Naghdi, has issued a public plea to Donald Trump and the international community to intervene and prevent the execution. Aras reported receiving threatening phone calls and expressed fear for his own safety while calling for pressure on the Iranian leadership.

Benjamin Naghdi had previously put his athletic career on hold to support his family financially. Following a hunger strike, he was recently moved from solitary confinement to a general prison area, though the family has not been informed of a specific execution date.