Iran has executed three individuals accused of killing police officers during the anti-government protests that erupted in December and escalated in January. Among those executed was teenager Saleh Mohammadi, a member of the national wrestling team, confirmed by sources to CBS.
The executions, which occurred early Thursday morning in the northern province of Qom, followed the Supreme Court's affirmation of their death sentences, according to Iran's Tasnim News Agency.
The protests, which spread across 180 cities and towns within all 31 provinces, began amid frustration over the collapsing Iranian currency and soaring living costs but quickly evolved into a call for political change and resistance against the clerical establishment in Iran.
Rights groups have indicated that thousands have died in the protests, with the January crackdown reportedly leading to the deaths of approximately 7,000 individuals, including many children. Concerns have been raised about the fairness of trials and the treatment of detainees, as reports suggest that confessions were obtained under torture.
The Iranian government has labeled the actions of the three men as 'moharebeh,' or waging war against God, relying on a legal framework that allows for severe punishments against dissenters and opponents of the regime.
The international community, including rights organizations and foreign governments, has condemned the executions, calling attention to the broader implications of such actions for human rights within Iran.
In the wake of these executions, which are the first linked directly to the protests, activists fear a continued cycle of violence and repression as the government seeks to silence dissent.
