Iran Hangs Three Tied to January Unrest, Including 19-Year-Old Wrestler

Overview

• Iranian state media and Iran Human Rights confirmed the executions of Saleh Mohammadi, Mehdi Ghasemi and Saeed Davoudi by hanging on March 19.
• Tasnim reported the men were convicted of killing two policemen in Qom on January 8 and charged with moharebeh, or waging war against God.
• Mohammadi, 19, had represented Iran in international wrestling competitions, according to multiple outlets.
• Iran Human Rights described the trials as unjust and based on torture-induced confessions, calling the killings extrajudicial intended to instill fear.
• Rights monitors say these are the first executions publicly linked to the late-2025 protest wave, noting a U.S.-reported January pledge not to execute protesters and warning that hundreds more face capital charges.