Iranian authorities have executed three individuals arrested during the January protests, including 19-year-old wrestling champion Saleh Mohammadi, in a move that signals a sharp escalation in the country’s response to the unrest.
The others executed were Mehdi Ghasemi and Saeed Davvodi, with authorities confirming that the cases are the first publicly known executions linked directly to the demonstrations.
According to the judiciary, the three men were put to death on Thursday, March 19, after being accused of killing two police officers during the unrest.
Mohammadi, who had competed internationally and gained recognition in wrestling circles, denied the charges in court, stating that his confession was obtained under torture, according to accounts from those close to him.
Members of the wrestling community also defended him, insisting he had no history of violence.
He had represented Iran at global competitions, including the Saitiev Cup in Russia, where he won a bronze medal.
His case has drawn comparisons to Navid Afkari, whose execution following the 2018 protests sparked international outrage and became symbolic of the use of capital punishment in protest-related cases.
Afkari was sentenced to death and executed in Shiraz after being accused and convicted of murdering a security guard during the 2018 Iranian protests.
The January protests began over worsening economic conditions but later expanded into wider opposition against Iran’s theocratic leadership, prompting a forceful crackdown by authorities.
More than 36,500 Iranians, it was gathered, were killed by security forces during the crackdown on nationwide protests, making it the deadliest two-day protest massacre in history.
Comments