New Khamenei Regime Executes 19-Year-Old Wrestling Champion, 2 Others For January Protest In Iran
Iran’s judiciary on Thursday said it has executed three men who were arrested during the nationwide protests in January, marking the first confirmed executions linked to the unrest.
- World News
- 2 min read
Tehran: Iran on Thursday said that it has executed three men who were arrested during the nationwide protests in January, marking the first confirmed executions linked to the unrest. Among those who received the death penalty was 19-year-old national wrestling champion Saleh Mohammadi. The other two protesters have been identified as Mehdi Ghasemi and Saeed Davvodi.
The young individuals, who were protesting against the Khamenei government in January, were accused of fatally stabbing two police officers in the city of Qom, located about 130 km south of Tehran.
Executions in Iran are typically carried out by hanging. Authorities had earlier warned that those detained in connection with the protests could face the death penalty.
As per reports, Saleh Mohammadi was killed in a public hanging. Earlier, the US State Department along with Iranian-American wrestlers had requested Iran to not execute Mohammadi for protesting against the regime of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
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As per Iranian journalist Masih Alinejad, the three protesters were hanged in Qom after a sham trial. She added, “Reports indicate torture. Forced confessions. No access to chosen lawyers. Closed-door proceedings. No right to appeal.”
The protests were met with a harsh crackdown, with thousands reportedly killed and many more detained. Rights groups have expressed concern that more executions could follow, while also alleging that detainees are often subjected to forced confessions and denied fair trials.