Iran's judiciary has reported the execution of three individuals, among them Saleh Mohammadi, a highly regarded teenage wrestler, over protests that erupted in January. These executions are the first documented instances of death sentences being enacted in relation to the unrest.
On Thursday, March 19, the three men were put to death after being accused of murdering two police officers during the protests, according to the judiciary- affiliated Mizan news agency.
Mohammadi, who had competed on an international level, denied the allegations in court, asserting that his confession had been coerced through torture, as per statements from sources familiar with his case. Additionally, members of Iran's wrestling community had come forward to defend him, highlighting his non-violent history.
The young athlete had also participated in the 2024 Saitiev Cup held in Russia, where he earned a bronze medal for his performance. His execution has prompted comparisons to another wrestler, Navid Afkari, whose case gained notoriety as a symbol of the Iranian regime's use of capital punishment in the wake of protests.
Afkari was executed in Shiraz after being convicted of murdering a security guard during the protests in 2018. The protests in January, which initially began due to worsening economic conditions, transformed into a broader movement against the theocratic government, leading to a severe crackdown.
Reports from the Editorial Board of Iran International indicate that more than 36,500 citizens were killed by security forces during the crackdown on these widespread protests, marking it as one of the most lethal two-day massacre events in the country's history.
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