Tehran, Iran. Former Iranian water polo player Reza Soleimani said he was devastated after learning that 19-year-old wrestler Saleh Mohammadi had been executed for his alleged role in anti-government protests in Iran. State media reported Iran executed three men convicted of killing two police officers during unrest this year.
Executions reported by state media
Iran executed three men on Thursday who were convicted of killing two police officers during unrest this year, state media reported. The reports said the sentences had been upheld by the Supreme Court.
Authorities said the three had taken part in attacks using knives and other weapons during protests on January 8. Reports said Mohammadi was one of the three men executed.
Soleimani recounts his own experience
Soleimani, who was in the Iranian water polo team at the 1986 Asian Games in Seoul and was deported from South Korea after refusing to return to Iran, told Reuters that Mohammadi’s execution was a very sad moment.
“I’m sure you heard that with my story as well, too. In 1986, this happened to me, when I tried to flee in the Asian Games and (asked for) political asylum in South Korea,” he said.
“They deported me back to Iran and I was in solitary jail for 23 days and I was thinking, ‘I’m going to get executed every day’… I have sympathy for all of them and for the family as well. I’m just speechless,” he added.
Reaction from wrestling’s governing body
United World Wrestling did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The governing body said it was aware that Mohammadi was at risk of a capital sentence and called for a “fair, transparent, and impartial trial”.
Protests and crackdown
The anti-government protests began in Iran in December and triggered a crackdown by authorities which drew international condemnation.
Soleimani said he wanted to thank the athletes who participated in the protests.
What do you think about the role of athletes in anti-government protests in Iran?