The Iranian regime is executing athlete dissidents. Why? And what can be done?

Résumé détaillé

More than 200 athletes have been killed in Iran since January. This is what global sporting bodies must do to pressure the Iranian regime.

On October 14, Iranian mountain climber and musician Ali-Sina Mostafavi was executed because of his alleged armed involvement in support of the Israel-US war on Iran and support for the former Iranian monarchy.

Mostafavi, who had ascended many of the world’s highest peaks, including Mount Everest, was “swiftly” sentenced to death.

Athletes and other high-profile Iranians accused of dissent have long been targeted by the country’s government. Execution is often the punishment: Iran has executed 691 people since the beginning of the year, according to human rights organisation Iran Human Rights. Last year, that number was 2,159 executions, according to Amnesty International.

In September, more than 40 countries issued a joint statement condemning the “continued and escalating use of the death penalty in Iran”.

The non-profit organisation Human Rights for Sport states more than 200 Iranian athletes have been executed since the January 2026 protests against the Iranian regime. More than 100 others are detained.

Coaches and referees have been identified among those killed during the crackdowns.

These politically motivated killings are exacerbated at times of major public unrest: in 2022, several high-profile athletes who supported the “woman, life, freedom” uprising were also targeted.

Now, Human Rights for Sport believes there are seven athletes currently detained who are at imminent risk of execution:

Athletes, especially wrestlers, enjoy national “Pahlevan” (a noble, cherished hero) status in Iran. But if the regime perceives a threat, it often targets athletes with physical and mental torture, imprisonment, seized assets, denial of work or study opportunities, and threats to family members. The aim: to demonstrate that social status offers no protection.

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