TEHRAN: Iran has publicly executed a 19-year-old wrestler and two other protesters. The executions, carried out in the city of Qom, are seen...
TEHRAN: Iran has publicly executed a 19-year-old wrestler and two other protesters. The executions, carried out in the city of Qom, are seen by the world as a sign of the government intensifying its crackdown on dissent.
Salih Mohammadi, a rising wrestling star, along with Saeed Davoodi and Mehdi Qassemi, were executed on Thursday. The action was taken against them for their alleged involvement in the killing of two police officers during a protest held on January 8, 2026.
Government media reported that the executions were carried out "in the presence of a group of people in Qom." These are the first protesters to be hanged in connection with the nationwide demonstrations that lasted from late December 2025 to January 2026.
Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, Director of the Israel-based Iran Human Rights, alleged that the death sentences were handed down through extremely unfair trials based on forced confessions obtained through torture and threats.
"We consider these to be extrajudicial killings aimed at creating an atmosphere of terror to suppress political dissent. The international community must intervene urgently," said Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam.
According to Amnesty International, the accused were not given the opportunity for a proper defense, and the case was settled very quickly to carry out the executions. Mohammadi was charged with "Moharebeh" (war against God), a severe crime under Iranian law.
Nima Far, an Iranian athlete and human rights activist, described the incident as a "blatant political murder." He pointed out that the situation is similar to the execution of wrestler Navid Afkari in 2020. He also demanded that Iran be banned from international sporting events until it stops executing protesters.
Human rights activists fear that more executions are likely to be carried out in the coming weeks.
COMMENTS