Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Iranian authorities carried out public executions on March 19, 2026, hanging 19-year-old Saleh Mohammadi, a rising wrestling star, along with two other men, following convictions linked to the nationwide protests that swept the country in January 2026. The hangings took place in Qom, a religious centre, drawing widespread international condemnation and renewed attention to Iran’s use of capital punishment.
Saleh Mohammadi, born March 11, 2007, was a member of Iran’s national freestyle wrestling team and had represented the country at international competitions, including earning medals at tournaments such as the Saitiev Cup in Russia. His execution has shocked the sporting world, human rights groups, and the international community, given his young age and athletic achievements.
Authorities reported that Mohammadi and his co-defendants, Mehdi Ghasemi and Saeed Davoudi, were convicted of involvement in the deaths of two police officers during the January protests. They were charged with “enmity against God,” a broad legal category in Iranian law often applied in politically sensitive cases. State media described the executions as the enforcement of criminal sentences following judicial review.
Human rights organisations, however, have raised serious concerns over the fairness of the trials. Reports suggest that the defendants were denied access to independent legal counsel and were coerced into confessions under duress. Critics argue that the evidence presented was insufficient and that the trials failed to meet international standards for due process. Family members and supporters maintain that Mohammadi was not involved in violence during the protests and had an alibi placing him elsewhere.
The public nature of the hangings has intensified criticism, with observers noting that Iran has increasingly used public executions in politically sensitive cases to deter dissent and instil fear among the population. Mohammadi’s death has been compared to the 2020 execution of wrestler Navid Afkari, another case that sparked global outrage over alleged forced confessions and judicial irregularities.
International human rights groups have called on Iran to halt further executions related to the protests and to ensure fair treatment for detainees. Sporting bodies have also expressed alarm at the targeting of athletes, urging protections for those involved in sports from political repression.
The executions highlight ongoing tensions within Iranian society, the government’s strict response to civil unrest, and the controversial use of capital punishment in cases involving young people and politically charged circumstances. Thousands of individuals remain detained for their roles in the January protests, and the executions of Mohammadi and his co-defendants have raised fears of additional death sentences in the coming months.
The death of Saleh Mohammadi serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by young Iranians caught up in political unrest and has become a symbol of the broader human rights challenges facing the country.
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