Iran executes three men linked to anti-government protests

Authorities in Iran have carried out the public execution of three men, including a 19-year-old wrestler, marking the first confirmed executions linked to the nationwide anti-government protests that erupted earlier this year.

According to the judiciary’s official outlet, Mizan News Agency, the executions were conducted on Thursday in the city of Qom after legal procedures, including court approvals and representation by defence lawyers, were completed.

The individuals; Mehdi Ghasemi, Saleh Mohammadi, and Saeed Davoudi, were convicted for their alleged involvement in the killing of two security personnel during the January 8 protests.

Authorities claimed the attack was carried out using weapons such as knives, swords, and machetes.

The judiciary also accused the men of acting in support of foreign interests, specifically the United States and Israel, an allegation frequently levelled by Iranian officials against protesters.

They were sentenced under the charge of moharebeh, or “waging war against God,” a capital offence under Iranian law.

One of those executed, Saleh Mohammadi, had recently turned 19 and was recognised as a promising wrestler, having won a bronze medal for Iran at the Saytiyev International Cup in Russia. His case had attracted international concern, with Washington previously urging Iranian authorities to halt his execution.

Human rights organisations have strongly criticised the executions, describing them as unjust and lacking due process.

The Norway-based Hengaw Human Rights Organisation alleged that the confessions used in securing convictions were obtained under torture and that there was no credible evidence linking the men to the crime.

Similarly, Amnesty International stated that Mohammadi was denied proper legal representation and subjected to expedited proceedings that fell short of international fair trial standards. Reports also indicated that he sustained injuries, including a fractured hand, during detention.

Another watchdog, Iran Human Rights, said the executions followed what it described as deeply flawed trials based on coerced confessions, characterising the killings as intended to instil fear and suppress dissent.

Legal advocacy group Dadban also raised concerns about the defendants’ limited access to independent legal counsel.

The executions come against the backdrop of protests that began in late December 2025 and escalated in early January 2026, driven by economic hardship, currency instability, and discontent with the political system.

Iranian authorities responded with a forceful crackdown. Official figures submitted to the United Nations indicate that 3,117 people were killed during the unrest, which Tehran attributed to acts of terrorism.

However, independent groups, including the Human Rights Activists News Agency, have reported significantly higher casualty figures, estimating more than 7,000 deaths, with rights organisations alleging that many victims were killed by security forces.

The crackdown has also led to mass arrests, with numerous detainees facing charges that carry the death penalty.

A United Nations-backed fact-finding mission recently warned that several individuals remain at risk of execution under conditions that may violate international legal standards.

Amnesty International has estimated that at least 30 individuals, including minors, could be facing execution in connection with the protests.