Iran executes wrestling team athlete linked to protests by hanging

Saleh Mohammadi, Mehdi Ghasemi and Saeed Davodi during trial, according to IHR IHR/Reproduction Iran executed an athlete from the national wrestling team by hanging this Thursday (19), in a case linked to the protests against the government that took over the country at the beginning of the year. The information was released by the state press and confirmed by the NGO Iran Human Rights. ✅ Follow the g1 international news channel on WhatsApp Saleh Mohammadi was 19 years old and participated in international competitions representing Iran. In addition to him, Mehdi Ghasemi and Saeed Davoudi were also executed. State news agency Tasnim said the three were convicted of murdering two police officers during riots in January. The executions are the first related to the protests, which began at the end of 2025 and were violently repressed by the authorities. According to the United States government, Iran had committed not to execute protesters. Iran Human Rights said the three were also sentenced to death for “moharebeh” — a term used in the country for “war against God.” The entity’s director, Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, said the trials were unfair and based on confessions obtained under torture. “We consider these executions to be extrajudicial killings, carried out with the intention of creating terror to suppress political dissent,” he said. According to the NGO, hundreds of people still face charges that could lead to the death penalty in connection with the protests. The entity also warns of the risk of mass executions in the coming weeks. MORE

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