19-Year-Old Wrestler Executed in Iran; Sports World Shaken

New Delhi: The entire sports world has been shaken by the ongoing repressive crackdown against athletes in Iran. Global outrage is mounting after the Iranian government executed Saleh Mohammadi, a 19-year-old international medal-winning wrestler. This incident has intensified concerns regarding the safety of other athletes currently detained in Iranian prisons.

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Allegations of Confession Extracted Through Torture
Saleh Mohammadi was accused of murdering two police officers. However, Mohammadi had denied these allegations from the very beginning. “My confession was extracted through torture and immense physical suffering,” he claimed in court. Significantly, human rights organizations have alleged that the authorities deliberately ignored CCTV footage and eyewitness testimonies pertinent to this case. This incident is being viewed as a tragic repetition of the 2018 execution of wrestler Navid Afkari.

Many Prominent Athletes Behind Bars

Currently, Iranian prisons hold not only wrestlers but also renowned athletes, coaches, and referees from various other sports disciplines. These include—primarily—Football: Mohammad Hossein Hosseini and Amir Reza Nasr Azadani; Boxing: Asian Youth Bronze Medalist Mohammad Mahshari and Mohammad Javad Vafaei Sani; and Others: Marathon runner Niloufar Pas, basketball coach Payam Vahidi, and water polo goalkeeper Ali Pishevarzadeh. Appeal to the International Olympic Committee

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In protest against the atrocities in Iran, more than 200 athletes—both domestic and international—have written a letter to the International Olympic Committee. The letter alleges that sports organizations in Iran have become mere puppets in the hands of the country’s security agencies and are violating the human rights of athletes. Following the execution of Saleh Mohammadi, fears are now being raised that other athletes could face similar punishments without a fair trial.

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