Iran has executed 19-year-old wrestling champion Saleh Mohammadi, despite international warnings and appeals from human rights groups and athletes.
Reports indicate Mohammadi was publicly hanged in Qom after being accused of involvement in protests against the government. Activists and dissidents described the execution as politically motivated and part of a broader crackdown on dissent.
Nima Far, a human rights activist and Iranian combat sports figure, called the killing a “blatant political murder,” linking it to previous cases where athletes were executed following international criticism.
Wrestling champion Saleh Mohammadi faces imminent execution in Iran for protest participation as international pressure mounts to save the athlete. (The Foreign Desk)
Mohammadi had gained recognition after winning a bronze medal at the 2024 Saytiyev International Cup in Russia.
Iranian authorities claimed Mohammadi and two others—Mehdi Ghasemi and Saeed Davoudi—were responsible for the killing of two police officers during protests in January in the city of Qom. Officials alleged the men acted on behalf of foreign powers, a claim frequently used against protesters.
Human rights advocates disputed the charges, alleging forced confessions, torture, lack of legal representation, and closed-door proceedings without the right to appeal.
The U.S. State Department had previously urged Iran to halt the execution, warning against the use of capital punishment for individuals exercising basic rights. Iranian-American wrestlers and international figures also called for intervention, including potential sanctions in global sports.
Iranians gather while blocking a street during a protest in Tehran, Iran on Jan. 9, 2026. (MAHSA / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images)
Critics have accused international sporting bodies of failing to take stronger action, with calls for Iran to be banned from competitions until executions and repression of athletes end.
Reactions from Iranian activists and analysts were swift. Some called for broader boycotts of Iran in international sports, while others warned that athletes inside the country face severe pressure and risk.
The execution comes amid ongoing unrest in Iran, where protests have been met with arrests, violence, and increasing reports of executions tied to political dissent.
