Mohammadi had won three international titles and two domestic championships in Iran, and was regarded as a rising star in wrestling with his sights set on becoming an Olympic champion. However, Iranian authorities accused him of participating in anti-government demonstrations in January and allegedly being involved in the killing of two police officers. On February 4, he was sentenced to death by the Qom First Criminal Court, a ruling recently upheld by the Supreme Court. On March 19, Mohammadi was hanged in public.

Foreign media reports indicate that Mohammadi had no legal representation during his trial. He denied the charges and claimed he was a “scapegoat,” with suspicions that his confession was obtained under torture. The day before his execution, he was told he would soon be reunited with his family, but he was executed the following day without seeing them.

The case has drawn strong condemnation from the international sports community. American swimming champion Tyler Clary stated that the execution was based on a “sham trial,” while bobsledder Kaillie Humphries also condemned Iran’s actions as “heinous.”