Iran Executes Teen Wrestler Saleh Mohammadi, Global Outcry

On Thursday, Iran executed 19-year-old wrestler Saleh Mohammadi, alongside two other men allegedly involved in protests in Qom earlier in the year. Iranian officials claimed the trio was responsible for the deaths of two police officers during the unrest.

However, organizations such as Amnesty International and Iranian human rights activists rejected the government's account, asserting that Mohammadi did not receive a fair trial and was coerced into making confessions under torture. Activist Nima Far described the execution as politically motivated, emphasizing that it serves to intimidate the public and silence dissent, particularly among athletes.

Mohammadi had won a bronze medal at the 2024 Saytiyev Cup in Russia and maintained his innocence, claiming his conviction was based on an initial confession and witness testimony. His execution occurred despite calls from the United States to halt it, reviving memories of the execution of wrestler Navid Afkari in 2020 and raising ongoing concerns about Iran's treatment of protesting athletes.