Iran executes three men linked to anti-government protests amid growing human rights concerns

Authorities in Iran have carried out the public execution of three men in Qom following convictions connected to the protests that began earlier this year.

According to the judiciary’s Mizan News Agency, the executions took place on Thursday after legal proceedings were completed, including court approvals and the provision of legal representation.

The individuals identified as Mehdi Ghasemi, Saleh Mohammadi, and Saeed Davoudi were convicted in relation to the killing of two members of the security forces during demonstrations held on January 8. Authorities said the attack involved weapons including knives and machetes.

Judicial authorities also alleged that the defendants were acting in coordination with external actors, naming the United States and Israel. The men were sentenced under the charge of moharebeh, a capital offence in Iran described in law as “waging war against God.”

One of those executed, Saleh Mohammadi, was 19 years old and had competed as a wrestler, winning a bronze medal at the Saytiyev International Cup in Russia. His case had drawn attention internationally, including calls from Washington for Iran to suspend the sentence.

The executions have prompted criticism from multiple human rights organisations, which have raised concerns about the fairness of the trials and the conditions under which convictions were reached. The Norway-based Hengaw Human Rights Organisation said confessions were obtained under coercion and questioned the evidentiary basis of the verdicts.

Amnesty International reported that Mohammadi was not granted adequate legal representation and that proceedings were expedited in ways that did not align with international fair trial standards. It also noted allegations that he sustained physical injuries while in detention.

Iran Human Rights described the trials as flawed and reliant on coerced statements, suggesting the executions were intended to deter further dissent. The legal advocacy group Dadban similarly highlighted limited access to independent counsel for the defendants.

The executions are linked to unrest that began in late December 2025 and escalated in early January 2026, driven by economic pressures, currency instability, and political grievances. Iranian authorities responded with a broad security crackdown.

Official figures submitted to the United Nations put the death toll from the unrest at 3,117, which Tehran attributes to acts of terrorism. Independent monitoring groups, including the Human Rights Activists News Agency, estimate fatalities exceeding 7,000 and report that many deaths were caused by security forces.

The crackdown has also involved large-scale arrests, with numerous detainees facing charges that carry the possibility of capital punishment. A UN-backed fact-finding mission has warned that several individuals remain at risk of execution under circumstances that may not meet international legal standards.

Amnesty International has estimated that at least 30 people, including minors, could be facing execution in connection with the protests.