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Execution of 19-year-old wrestler Saleh Mohammadi has reignited global outrage, with rights groups questioning Iran’s due process.
Young Iranian wrestler Saleh Mohammadi (X)
The execution of 19-year-old Iranian wrestler Saleh Mohammadi has thrust Iran’s crackdown on dissent back into the global spotlight.
According to reports from Euronews, Iranian authorities executed three men on March 19 — Mohammadi, Mehdi Ghasemi, and Saeed Davoudi — marking the first confirmed executions linked to the January 2026 anti-government protests.
The trio were reportedly hanged in Qom after being convicted of moharebeh (“waging war against God”), a capital offence under Iran’s legal system.
State media claimed the men were involved in the killing of two police officers and had carried out “operational actions” in favour of Israel and the United States.
But beyond the official narrative, the case has quickly unravelled into something far more contentious.
Questions Over Due Process
Human rights groups have strongly challenged the legitimacy of the convictions, particularly Mohammadi’s.
A teenage athlete who had competed internationally, Mohammadi’s case has drawn scrutiny over alleged procedural violations.
Reports cited by outlets like SSBCrack News claimed he was denied access to an independent lawyer, had limited contact with his family, and saw potential alibi evidence ignored. Even more concerning are allegations that confessions used in court may have been obtained under torture.
Iranian courts dismissed these claims outright, but that has done little to quiet criticism.
Conflicting Narratives
Further complicating matters, the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights reported that the executions were carried out in secrecy at a prison in Qom. This sharply contrasts with the state’s portrayal of due judicial process, fuelling doubts about what actually transpired behind closed doors.
Mohammadi’s execution has also inevitably drawn comparisons to that of wrestler Navid Afkari, whose death sparked international outrage back in 2020.
Broader Context
The January 2026 protests, driven by political and economic grievances, have led to widespread arrests and an intensified security response.
Rights organisations have warned that the latest executions could signal a broader escalation.
March 19, 2026, 23:46 IST
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