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Iran has carried out its first executions connected to the recent anti-government protests, including the killing of a teenage athlete, according to state media and human rights reports.
One of those executed was Saleh Mohammadi, identified by sources as a teenager and a member of Iran’s national wrestling team. His age has made his case especially alarming, drawing attention to the involvement, and punishment, of young people in the unrest.
The executions took place on Thursday morning in Qom province after Iran’s Supreme Court upheld death sentences against three men: Mohammadi, Mehdi Ghasemi, and Saeed Davoudi. Authorities accused them of carrying out attacks that killed two police officers during protests earlier this year.
State-affiliated media said the men were also convicted of “moharebeh,” or “waging war against God,” a charge often used in Iran in cases linked to political opposition and protest activity.
Human rights groups have challenged the credibility of the case, saying the men were forced to confess under torture and were denied fair legal proceedings. These concerns have raised serious questions about the legitimacy of the executions.
The events come against the backdrop of widespread protests that began over economic hardship, including inflation and a weakening currency. The demonstrations quickly expanded into broader demands for political change, becoming one of the most serious challenges to Iran’s leadership in decades.
The protests reportedly spread to around 180 cities and towns across all 31 provinces. Due to severe internet restrictions, it has been difficult to verify events, but witnesses describe an intense and deadly crackdown by security forces.
Monitoring groups estimate that thousands of people were killed during the January crackdown, including hundreds of children. The execution of a teenager now adds to growing concern over how young protesters have been treated.
These executions followed closely after the death of a dual Iranian-Swedish national who was executed on espionage charges, a move that also sparked international criticism. Swedish officials questioned whether the legal process met basic standards of fairness.
Although Iranian authorities had previously suggested there were no plans to execute protesters, these actions indicate a harsher approach is now being taken.
