Trending Now - Iran's Execution of Teen Wrestler Sparks Global Outcry
WHO:
Saleh Mohammadi, 19-year-old champion wrestler from Qom, Iran.
Mehdi Ghasemi and Saeed Davoudi, co-defendants executed alongside Mohammadi.
Nima Far, human rights activist and Iranian combat athlete, stated, "His execution was a blatant political murder, part of the Islamic Republic’s pattern of targeting athletes to crush dissent and terrorize society."
Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, Iranian judiciary chief, warned there would be "no leniency" against those convicted of violent acts during the protests.
Saleh Mohammadi had just turned 19 years old on March 12, 2026.
Nima Far, a human rights activist and Iranian combat athlete, stated, "His execution was a blatant political murder, part of the Islamic Republic’s pattern of targeting athletes to crush dissent and terrorize society."
Iranian legal affairs monitor Dadban reported that the executed individuals were "deprived of effective access to independent counsel and the right to defense."
Saleh Mohammadi, 19-year-old champion wrestler, member of Iran's national wrestling team
Mehdi Ghasemi, Saeed Davoudi, co-defendants executed alongside Mohammadi
Iranian judiciary, Mizan news agency
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi
U.S. President Donald Trump
Nima Far, human rights activist and Iranian combat athlete
Amnesty International, Iran Human Rights, Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
WHAT:
The Iranian regime executed Saleh Mohammadi, Mehdi Ghasemi, and Saeed Davoudi on March 19, 2026, for the capital crime of "moharebeh" (waging war against God).
The trio was accused of killing two police officers with knives and swords during protests on January 8, 2026.
Amnesty International condemned the executions, alleging that the men were denied "adequate defense and forced to make 'confessions'... in fast-tracked proceedings that bore no resemblance to a meaningful trial."
The Iranian regime executed Kouroush Keyvani, a dual Iranian-Swedish national, on March 18, 2026, on charges of spying for Israel.
Iran executed at least 1,500 people in 2025, according to figures from Iran Human Rights.
The Iranian regime executed 13 people on charges related to the June 2025 war with Israel and 12 people on charges related to the 2022-2023 nationwide protests.
Iran executed three men, including Saleh Mohammadi, on March 19, 2026
Executions were the first related to protests that began in late December 2025
The trio was convicted of killing two police officers during protests on January 8, 2026
Executions were carried out for the capital crime of "moharebeh" (waging war against God)
Rights groups reported that the men were executed without a fair trial and under torture
The U.S.-based HRANA recorded over 7,000 killings during the protests, with the majority being protesters
Iran acknowledged over 3,000 deaths during the unrest, including security forces and bystanders
WHERE:
Executions took place in Qom, Iran
Protests occurred in various locations across Iran, peaking in Tehran
WHEN:
The executions occurred on March 19, 2026.
Protests peaked on January 8 and 9, 2026.
The executions of Saleh Mohammadi, Mehdi Ghasemi, and Saeed Davoudi occurred on March 19, 2026.
Executions occurred on March 19, 2026
Protests began in late December 2025 and peaked on January 8 and 9, 2026
U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran began on February 28, 2026
WHY:
Iranian authorities claimed the executed individuals acted on behalf of Israel and the United States during the protests.
The executions aimed to instill fear and suppress dissent among the Iranian populace amid ongoing unrest.
Iranian authorities claimed the executed individuals acted on behalf of Israel and the United States during the protests.
The Iranian regime claims the protests were instigated by foreign powers, specifically the U.S. and Israel
Executions aimed to instill fear and suppress dissent among the Iranian populace
HOW:
The judiciary conducted fast-tracked trials that lacked adequate defense and legal representation, with reports indicating that confessions were obtained under torture.
The judiciary conducted fast-tracked trials that lacked adequate defense and legal representation, with reports indicating that confessions were obtained under torture.
The judiciary conducted fast-tracked trials that lacked adequate defense and legal representation
Confessions were reportedly obtained under torture, with no right to appeal
(UPDATED March 20, 2026 01:23 UTC)
On March 19, 2026, the Iranian regime executed 19-year-old champion wrestler Saleh Mohammadi along with co-defendants Mehdi Ghasemi and Saeed Davoudi, who were accused of killing two police officers during protests on January 8. Human rights activist Nima Far condemned the executions as a blatant political murder, while Amnesty International criticized the fast-tracked trials that denied the men adequate defense and involved forced confessions. Iranian judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei warned of "no leniency" for those convicted of violent acts during the protests, as authorities claimed the trio acted on behalf of foreign powers to instill fear and suppress dissent.
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(UPDATED March 19, 2026 23:07 UTC)
In a shocking development, the Iranian regime executed three individuals, including 19-year-old Saleh Mohammadi, today, March 19, 2026, amid claims they acted on behalf of Israel and the United States during recent protests. Human rights activist Nima Far condemned the execution as a "blatant political murder," highlighting a disturbing pattern of targeting athletes to suppress dissent, while reports from Iranian legal monitor Dadban revealed that those executed were denied proper legal representation and faced trials that were expedited and lacked fairness. This follows a troubling trend, as Iran executed at least 1,500 people in 2025 alone, with many facing charges related to the June 2025 war with Israel and the nationwide protests from 2022 to 2023.
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(UPDATED March 19, 2026 19:22 UTC)
Iran executed three men, including 19-year-old champion wrestler Saleh Mohammadi, today in Qom, marking the first executions linked to protests that erupted in late December 2025. The trio was convicted of killing two police officers during the protests on January 8, 2026, and rights groups have reported that they faced fast-tracked trials without fair legal representation and were subjected to torture. Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have condemned the executions, highlighting that the Iranian regime aims to suppress dissent and instill fear among the populace.