Iran has executed individuals tied to recent protests, raising international concerns over the handling of dissent.
Iran's state media reported the execution of three men on Thursday in Qom province, convicted of killing police officers during anti-government protests that erupted in December and intensified in January. Among the executed was teenager Saleh Mohammadi, a member of Iran's national wrestling team, according to sources cited by news agencies.
The men, identified as Saleh Mohammadi, Mehdi Ghasemi, and Saeed Davoudi, were found guilty of murder and charges of 'moharebeh,' or waging war against God, as stated by Iran's Tasnim news agency. Their death sentences were upheld by the Supreme Court, and the executions proceeded after what rights groups described as confessions obtained under torture.
Context of the Protests
The nationwide protests began in December amid economic hardships, including the collapse of the Iranian currency and rising living costs, spreading to 180 cities across all 31 provinces. Protesters demanded political change, marking one of the most significant challenges to the clerical establishment since the 1979 Islamic revolution.
Security forces responded with a violent crackdown, resulting in at least 7,000 deaths, including protesters and children, according to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency. The executions occurred amid this broader suppression, with reports of arrests and trials lacking fair procedures.
In a related development, Iran executed a dual Iranian-Swedish national the day before, convicted of spying for Israel during conflicts last June. Sweden's foreign minister stated that the legal process for this execution was not secure, highlighting international scrutiny.
While details on the protests' outcomes remain limited, U.S. President Donald Trump previously warned of strong action against Iran over protester executions in January. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi denied plans for such measures at the time, but the recent executions contradict that stance.
Rights groups, including the Norway-based Kurdish human rights group Hengaw, reported cases like that of Erfan Soltani, who was arrested and later released on bail after facing security charges, though not executed. These events underscore the ongoing tensions in Iran regarding dissent and governance.
