Iran's judiciary executed 19-year-old freestyle wrestling champion Saleh Mohammadi, along with Mehdi Ghasemi and Saeed Davoudi, on March 19, 2026, at Qom Central Prison. The three men were convicted of killing two police officers with knives and swords during protests in the city of Qom on January 8, 2026, according to judiciary-linked Mizan news agency.[1][2]
Mohammadi, a member of Iran's national wrestling team, won a bronze medal in the freestyle category at the Saytiyev International Cup in Krasnoyarsk, Russia, in September 2024.[1][3]
The U.S. State Department called on Iran to halt Mohammadi's execution, stating it was concerned by reports of the 19-year-old facing imminent death for exercising fundamental rights. The warning was issued via the department's official Farsi-language account on X in late January 2026.[1]
Prior to the execution, Iranian-American wrestlers including former Greco-Roman world championship medalist Sardar Pashaei and Afsoon Roshanzamir Johnston urged Iranian authorities not to proceed. Pashaei described the case as critical after speaking with a national team coach.[1]
Human rights activist Nima Far described the execution as part of a pattern targeting athletes, citing the 2020 case of Navid Afkari, a wrestler hanged despite international appeals.[1][4] Afkari was executed on September 12, 2020, after conviction for murder during 2018 protests.[4]
The International Olympic Committee and United World Wrestling issued statements following Mohammadi's death sentence but did not publicly threaten sanctions against Iran's National Olympic Committee.[1]
Activists including Masih Alinejad called for sports bodies to ban Iran from competitions until it halts executions of protesters.[1]
Sources
- Fox News Digital
State Department demands Iran halt execution of 19-year-old wrestling star; related reports on execution
Accessed March 2026
https://www.foxnews.com - Iran International
Iran’s regime hanged Mohammadi and two additional Iranian men
March 19, 2026
https://www.iranintl.com/en - Hengaw Organization for Human Rights
Footage shows Saleh Mohammadi executed in Qom prison
March 19, 2026
https://hengaw.net/en - Reuters
Iran hangs wrestler Navid Afkari despite global pleas
September 12, 2020
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-protests-wrestler/iran-hangs-wrestler-navid-afkari-despite-global-pleas-idUSKBN2620K6/ - Mizan Online
Judiciary execution report on Mohammadi, Ghasemi, Davoudi
March 19, 2026
https://www.mizanonline.ir
