Iran's judiciary executed 19-year-old freestyle wrestler Saleh Mohammadi on March 19, 2026, in Qom Central Prison, along with Mehdi Ghasemi and Saeed Davoudi. The three men were convicted of "enmity against God" (moharebeh) for allegedly killing two police officers with knives and swords during protests in Qom on January 8, 2026, according to judiciary-linked Mizan news agency.[1][2]
Mohammadi, a member of Iran's national wrestling team, had won a bronze medal in the Saytiyev International Cup in Krasnoyarsk, Russia, in September 2024.[2] The Hengaw Organization for Human Rights shared footage of Mohammadi wrestling, originally posted on his Instagram.[3]
The U.S. State Department expressed concern in late January 2026 via its official Farsi X account, calling on Iran to halt Mohammadi's execution and those of others sentenced for exercising rights.[1] Elite Iranian-American wrestlers, including former Greco-Roman world champion Sardar Pashaei, urged Iranian authorities not to proceed.[1]
Nima Far, an Iranian human rights activist and combat sports expert, described the execution as a political murder, citing past cases like Navid Afkari, executed in 2020 despite international appeals.[1][4] Far called for the International Olympic Committee and United World Wrestling to suspend Iran's participation in events.
Activist Masih Alinejad stated on X that the executions defied signals to halt such actions against protesters. Alireza Nader, an Iran expert, advocated for a sports boycott while noting impacts on athletes.[1]
The International Olympic Committee and United World Wrestling issued statements following Mohammadi's death sentence, after queries from media.[1]
Sources
- Fox News Digital
Multiple articles on Saleh Mohammadi execution (e.g., "State Department demands Iran halt execution of 19-year-old wrestling star")
March 20, 2026
https://www.foxnews.com/ - Iran International
"Iran’s regime hangs wrestler Saleh Mohammadi and two others accused of killing police"
March 19, 2026
https://www.iranintl.com/ - Hengaw Organization for Human Rights
Post on Saleh Mohammadi execution
March 19, 2026
https://hengaw.net/ - Reuters (historical context on Navid Afkari)
"Iran executes wrestler Navid Afkari despite global pleas"
September 12, 2020
https://www.reuters.com/
