Iran Executes Pro Athlete and Two Others from January Protests
The Iranian judiciary has announced the execution of three men held after nationwide January protests. Authorities identified them as Mehdi Ghasemi, Saleh Mohammadi and Saeed Davvodi.
Charges and location
Officials say the three were convicted over the fatal stabbings of two police officers. The incidents reportedly took place in Qom, about 80 miles south of Tehran.
State practice in Iran typically uses hanging to carry out death sentences. These are the first confirmed executions linked to the December 2025 and January 2026 unrest.
Scale of the crackdown
Documents reviewed by Iran International’s Editorial Board report more than 36,500 people killed by security forces during the crackdown. The organisation described that figure as making the events the deadliest two-day protest massacre in history.
Arrest figures vary. The Norway-based Iran Human Rights group reported about 40,000 arrests as of 29 January. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency put detentions at roughly 53,777 as of 23 February 2026.
Death sentences and verification
Human rights groups say hundreds now face death penalty charges linked to the demonstrations. Before a communication blackout on 28 February, one NGO had verified 27 death sentences, including for Saleh Mohammadi.
The internet shutdown has made it hard to confirm the total number of death sentences and detentions. Rights monitors warn unverifiable and unconfirmed counts could be substantially higher.
Human rights warnings
The Iran Human Rights NGO warned the latest executions may signal further state reprisals. Its director, Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, condemned the trials as unfair and based on coerced confessions.
The group called the hangings extrajudicial and meant to intimidate dissenters. It urged immediate international diplomatic pressure, and singled out the European Union for urgent action.
Some news headlines have presented the story with variations, including the label “Iran Executes Pro Athlete and Two Others from January Protests”.
Broader context and regional fallout
The January demonstrations began over worsening economic conditions. They expanded into a wider protest movement against the clerical government.
Resistance has followed earlier unrest, notably the September 2022 protests after Mahsa Amini’s death in custody. Iran’s judiciary had previously threatened executions for those arrested in the new wave of unrest.
The situation has also intersected with broader conflict. After US and Israeli strikes on 28 February, fighting spread across parts of the region. Activists report attacks on Gulf states and disruption of the Strait of Hormuz.
What comes next
Human rights advocates warn of more executions and continued repression. Filmogaz.com will continue to track developments and publish verified updates as they emerge.
