Iran publicly hangs 19-year-old champion wrestler, 2 others
What's the story
Iran has executed a 19-year-old champion wrestler, Saleh Mohammadi, and two other protesters in public hangings in Qom. The state media reported that the executions were carried out "in the presence of a group of people." The three men were accused of being involved in the killing of two policemen during protests on January 8, 2026. Mohammadi was hanged alongside Mehdi Ghasemi and Saeed Davodi.
Trial concerns
'Extrajudicial killings' to suppress political dissent
Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO) has raised serious concerns over the case, alleging that the protesters were sentenced to death after "grossly unfair trials." Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, director of IHRNGO, said these executions are "extrajudicial killings" meant to instill fear and suppress political dissent. Amnesty International stated that the three men were refused "adequate defense" and were pushed to confess. It stated that the matter was forced through "fast-tracked proceedings that bore no resemblance to a meaningful trial."
Global response
Iranian athlete calls for action against Iran's treatment of athletes
Nima Far, an Iranian combat athlete and human rights activist, also condemned the execution as a "blatant political murder." He compared it to the 2020 execution of Iranian wrestler Navid Afkari. Afkari was executed in Shiraz after being convicted of murdering a security guard during the 2018 Iranian protests. Far called on international sports bodies to take action against Iran's treatment of athletes. "Iran must be banned from international competitions until it halts executions of protesters and athletes," he said.
Ongoing unrest
Fears of mass executions amid ongoing unrest in Iran
According to testimony from people close to him, Mohammadi, a national-level wrestler who had competed internationally, rejected the charges and said his confession had been coerced. He was also supported by members of the Iranian wrestling community, who said he had no violent past. Mohammadi represented Iran in international wrestling competitions, including the 2024 Saitiev Cup in Russia, where he took home a bronze. Many other athletes, coaches and referees remain detained, linked to the recent wave of protests.