Iran Executes Three Men Over January Anti-Government Protests

Iran hanged three men-Mehdi Ghasemi, Saleh Mohammadi, and Saeed Davoudi-in Qom on Thursday. They were convicted of killing two police officers and committing 'operational actions' for Israel and the United States under the charge of moharebeh, or 'waging war against God.'

Saleh Mohammadi, a 19-year-old international wrestling competitor, was denied independent counsel and allegedly tortured into confession. Amnesty International and Iran Human Rights called the proceedings grossly unfair and devoid of due process.

The hangings mark the first officially acknowledged executions linked to the late December 2024-January 2025 anti-government protests, which began over rising living costs and expanded into broad demands for political change.

Iran Human Rights warns of imminent mass executions amid escalating regional war, citing over 700 people facing death sentences related to protest charges. Tehran acknowledges over 3,000 deaths during the unrest; HRANA documents more than 7,000 killed-mostly protesters.