Iran's 'Romario' Misses Opportunity for Life Sentence Reduction

Ali Akbarian, a former striker for the Esteghlal and Persepolis football teams, has lost the chance for pardon or reduction of his life sentence. This well-known football player, who is serving a life sentence, was on leave outside prison but was arrested again for drug-related offenses. According to ILNA news agency, a prison official from Qezel Hessar stated: 'He was arrested during his last leave with crystal meth. The court has sentenced him to an additional twenty years, and given that his previous sentence was life imprisonment, he can no longer be granted leave.' The sports website Varzesh 3 also reported on Akbarian's re-arrest, stating: 'Over the years, many elders and prominent figures in Iranian football have tried to save him, which yielded positive results.' Previously, media coverage, football community members, and his notable friends helped him gain permission for leave from prison; a process that could have led to a significant reduction in his sentence. Considering the long years Akbarian has spent in prison, there was even a possibility of his pardon. Akbarian was arrested in the late 2000s. In 2011, Akbarian's defense lawyer announced that a life sentence had been issued for him by the Revolutionary Court. Possession of over forty grams of crack, as well as the use and possession of crystal meth, were reasons for this heavy sentence. The public prosecutor had also requested the death penalty for Akbarian, but he was sentenced to life imprisonment 'with one degree of reduction.' He, who was nicknamed 'Iran's Romario' during his football career, has two children, a son and a daughter. In recent years, Iranian state radio and television and sports media have repeatedly broadcast reports on Akbarian's situation in prison. He mentioned that in the 1990s, the national team players were taken to Qezel Hessar prison to boost the morale of the inmates. On that day, the prisoners cheered for Akbarian and other national players. Later, he returned to Qezel Hessar, this time as one of the inmates, and had to serve his life sentence as a convict.