Teen Champion Wrestler, 19, Publicly Hanged In Iran As Regime Intensifies Crackdown On Protesters, Was Torture And Forced To Confess To 'Waging War Against God'

A 19-year-old wrestling champion has been executed in Iran, in a case that has sparked international outrage and renewed accusations of politically motivated killings.

Saleh Mohammadi was reportedly put to death by public hanging, alongside two other men, Mehdi Ghasemi and Saeed Davoudi, as part of what authorities describe as a response to unrest.

The executions come amid a wider crackdown by the Iranian government following waves of protests, with critics accusing the regime of using extreme punishments to silence dissent.

Human rights organizations claim Mohammadi was subjected to torture to extract a confession, allegedly admitting to the capital offense of “waging war against God,” a charge frequently used in Iran for individuals accused of opposing the state.

Activists have condemned the execution in the strongest terms. Nima Far, a prominent human rights advocate, described the killing as “a blatant political murder,” alleging it forms part of a broader effort by authorities to target high-profile individuals, including athletes, in order to intimidate the public.

The three men had been accused of involvement in the deaths of two police officers, allegedly using knives and swords during the unrest. However, international observers have raised serious concerns about the legal process behind the convictions.

Amnesty International stated that the case appeared to have been rushed through the courts, describing proceedings that “bore no resemblance to a meaningful trial.”

The use of public executions has long drawn criticism from rights groups, who argue such punishments are intended not only to penalize individuals but also to serve as a warning to others.

The death of Mohammadi, a young athlete at the start of his career, has intensified scrutiny of Iran’s handling of protest-related cases, with calls growing for greater international pressure over its use of capital punishment.