The Iranian regime executed 19-year-old wrestling standout Saleh Mohammadi by public hanging Thursday, signaling a ruthless escalation in its campaign to dismantle domestic dissent. Mohammadi, a rising star in the freestyle circuit, was put to death alongside two others in the city of Qom following what human rights observers have characterized as a “political murder” staged under the guise of judicial process.
The executions of Mohammadi, Mehdi Ghasemi, and Saeed Davoudi mark the first reported hangings directly linked to the massive anti-regime protests that paralyzed the country in early January. All three men were convicted of moharebeh—or “waging war against God”—for the alleged killing of two police officers.
A Trial of “Torture and Coercion”
Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, reported that the trio was denied legal representation and forced to provide “confessions” under extreme physical duress.
“His execution was a blatant political murder,” said Nima Far, a human rights activist and Iranian combat athlete. “It follows the Islamic Republic’s established pattern of targeting high-profile athletes to terrorize society into submission.”
Mohammadi, who earned a bronze medal at the 2024 Saitiev Cup, had reportedly turned 19 while in detention just last week. During his brief trial, he retracted his confession, citing torture, but the judiciary dismissed his claims despite a lack of forensic evidence linking him to the crime scene.
Broken Promises and Escalating War
The executions come despite previous claims by President Donald Trump that he had received assurances from Tehran that no such killings would take place. Earlier this year, Trump suggested that his administration’s warnings had saved the lives of nearly 800 demonstrators.
However, as the regional conflict between the U.S., Israel, and Iran intensifies—dubbed Operation Epic Fury—Tehran appears to have abandoned all diplomatic pretenses. Trump condemned the hangings Friday, labeling the regime leaders “thugs and animals,” while asserting that U.S. strikes have already “obliterated” Iran’s military infrastructure.
Targeting the Sporting Icon
The selection of a champion wrestler is a chilling echo of the 2020 execution of Navid Afkari. Activists argue that athletes are being specifically targeted due to their influence and status as national symbols.
“Iran must be banned from international competitions until it halts these executions,” Far added, calling on the International Olympic Committee to intervene.
Fears remain high for thousands of other detainees. The Iran Human Rights Documentation Center warned that these public hangings are intended to create an “atmosphere of intimidation” as the regime struggles to maintain control amidst ongoing military pressure and economic collapse.
At least 7,000 demonstrators were killed during the January crackdown, according to human rights data, with thousands more currently awaiting trial in secretive courts.
