Iran executed three men, including a 19-year-old wrestler, for allegedly killing police during January protests, sparking global condemnation over fair trial concerns.

State media and human rights groups say that Iran killed three men in Qom on March 19, 2026. One of them was Saleh Mohammadi, a 19-year-old national wrestling champion. The men were given the death penalty for allegedly killing two police officers during protests in January 2026. They were also charged with "waging war against God" (moharebeh), inciting violence, and having ties to foreign powers. Human rights groups said the executions were politically motivated because the trials were unfair, the confessions were obtained through torture, and there was no due process. The public executions are the first known death sentences connected to the unrest. International officials, athletes, and advocacy groups were outraged, saying that what happened was a violation of human rights and an attempt to silence dissent.