Iran executed three men on Thursday, including a 19-year-aged member of the national wrestling team, Saleh Mohammadi, after they were convicted of killing police officers during protests that began in December, state media reported.
Mohammadi, along with Mehdi Ghasemi and Saeed Davoudi, were hanged in Qom province, according to the Iranian news agency IRNA. The executions were confirmed by the Supreme Court, which upheld their death sentences. All three were accused of moharebeh – “waging war against God” – a charge frequently used by the Islamic Republic to justify the execution of dissidents and protesters.
Human rights organizations have condemned the executions, citing concerns over due process and allegations of torture. Amnesty International reported that Mohammadi was denied adequate legal representation and coerced into making confessions during what it described as “summary proceedings which did not resemble a real trial.” The organization stated he was deprived of an adequate legal defense.
The U.S. State Department had called for a suspension of the executions in January. The International Wrestling Federation (UWW) offered only official statements in response to media inquiries regarding Mohammadi’s case.
Mohammadi, born on March 11, 2005, in Saveh, had been a rising star in Greco-Roman wrestling. He achieved national recognition as a cadet, finishing third in the national championship in the 71 kg class in 2023. In 2024, he joined the Junior National Team (Under 19), winning a provincial championship, a national championship, and a silver medal at the «Abdullah Movahed International Cup». He also secured a bronze medal at the «Saitov International Cup» in Russia.
The executions of Mohammadi, Ghasemi, and Davoudi mark the second public executions carried out since February 28th, following the hanging of Iranian-Swedish citizen Kouroush Keyvani, who was convicted of spying for Israel.
Numerous other athletes are currently detained in Iran, including Mohammad Hossein Hosseini, a goalkeeper for the national football team who participated in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar; Ali Pishevarzadeh, a water polo goalkeeper; Niloufar Past, a marathon runner; Benjamin Naghdi, a kickboxing champion; Abolfazl Dokht, a young footballer; and Mohammad Javad Vafaei Sani, a boxer. Also detained are basketball coach Payam Unitt, billiards coach Hamzeh Kazemi, aerobics coach Narges Heidari, and former footballer Amir Reza Nasr Azadani. Boxer Mohammad Mahshari, a bronze medalist at the 2024 Asian youth and under-23 championships, and wrestler Amirhossein Ghaderzadeh, 19, are also reportedly in custody.
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