Iran carried out the first officially announced executions linked to the widespread protests that gripped the country earlier this year, raising alarm among rights groups who fear a surge in capital punishment as tensions remain high amid ongoing regional conflict. Three men – Mehdi Ghasemi, Saleh Mohammadi, and Saeed Davoudi – were hanged on Thursday in the city of Qom, south of Tehran, after being convicted of “waging war against God,” a charge under Iran’s sharia law, according to state media.
The executions come as Iran faces increased international scrutiny following strikes by Israel and the United States on February 28th, an action that killed a top Iranian commander and escalated the conflict in the Middle East. The timing of these executions, coupled with the recent hanging of Kouroush Keyvani, a dual Iranian-Swedish national convicted of spying for Israel, has fueled concerns that the government is using the heightened security environment to suppress dissent and intimidate its population. The escalating situation underscores the fragility of human rights within Iran and the potential for further crackdowns.
Rights organizations have condemned the executions as deeply unjust, citing reports that the men were subjected to torture and denied fair trials. Saleh Mohammadi, a 19-year-old wrestling champion who had competed internationally, was among those executed. Amnesty International reported that Mohammadi was denied adequate legal representation and forced to confess in proceedings that “bore no resemblance to a meaningful trial.” Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights (IHR) stated that all three men were sentenced to death following unfair trials based on confessions obtained through torture.
Convictions Tied to Police Killings and Alleged Foreign Support
Iranian state media, specifically the judiciary’s Mizan news agency, reported that Ghasemi, Mohammadi, and Davoudi were found guilty of involvement in the deaths of two police officers and accused of carrying out “operational actions” in favor of Israel and the United States. This framing of the charges, linking the protesters to foreign adversaries, reflects the government’s narrative that the demonstrations were orchestrated by external forces seeking to destabilize the Islamic Republic. Yet, rights groups dispute this claim, asserting that the protests were a genuine expression of widespread discontent over economic hardship and political repression.
Escalating Concerns Over Mass Executions
The recent executions have intensified fears of a broader crackdown on protesters and political prisoners. IHR has expressed deep concern over the risk of “mass executions” in the wake of the ongoing war, warning that the government may use the conflict as a pretext to silence dissent. “These executions are carried out to spread fear in the society, as the Islamic Republic knows that the main threat to its survival comes from the Iranian people demanding fundamental change,” IHR stated. Hundreds of individuals remain in custody facing charges related to the protests, with the potential for capital punishment, according to the organization.
The protests that led to these executions began in late December 2025, initially sparked by rising living costs and a plummeting Iranian rial. They quickly evolved into nationwide anti-government demonstrations, peaking on January 8-9, 2026. Iranian authorities responded with a brutal crackdown, accusing the US and Israel of instigating the unrest. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) has documented more than 7,000 killings during the crackdown, the majority of whom were protesters, though the agency cautions the actual toll could be significantly higher. Tehran acknowledges over 3,000 deaths, including security forces and bystanders, attributing the violence to “terrorist acts.”
Iran’s History of Capital Punishment
Iran has a long and troubling history of utilizing the death penalty, consistently ranking as one of the world’s most prolific executioners after China. According to IHR, at least 1,500 people were executed in Iran last year. Prior to the recent executions linked to the January protests, the Islamic Republic executed 13 individuals on charges related to the June 2025 conflict with Israel and 12 people connected to the 2022-2023 nationwide protests. Iran’s hardline judiciary chief, Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, has warned that there will be “no leniency” for those convicted of violent acts during the protests, signaling a continued commitment to harsh punishment for dissent.
The executions of Ghasemi, Mohammadi, and Davoudi represent a dangerous escalation in the government’s response to the protests and raise serious questions about the rule of law and human rights in Iran. The international community continues to condemn the use of the death penalty and calls for greater transparency and accountability in the Iranian judicial system.
Looking ahead, the situation remains volatile. IHR reports that hundreds of individuals are still facing charges related to the protests that could result in death sentences. The ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the internal political pressures within Iran suggest that the risk of further executions remains high. The next key development will likely be the outcome of ongoing trials and any potential appeals filed by those facing capital punishment.
If you have been affected by the events in Iran or are experiencing distress, resources are available. You can uncover support and information from organizations like Amnesty International (https://www.amnesty.org/) and Iran Human Rights (https://iranhr.org/). Please share this article to raise awareness and encourage further discussion.
