Iranian Wrestler Mehdi Ali Hosseini Executed in Dezful

According to state-run ISNA who quoted the judiciary’s public relations of Khuzestan Province, a prisoner was executed in Dezful Prison this morning.

The Asr Jonoub Telegram channel has identified the executed prisoner as 30-year-old Mehdi Ali Hosseini. Mehdi Ali Hosseini was a wrestler whose imminent execution had received widespread coverage and support from both the international and Iranian sports community.

According to previous reports, he was sentenced to death for “pre-meditated murder during a fight.” The judiciary’s public relations of Khuzestan Province is now claiming that he had committed the murder during an “armed robbery.” Judicial officials had previously denied that Mehdi Ali Hosseini was a wrestler.

It should be noted that defendants are systematically denied their right to due process and a fair trial and in most cases, convictions are based on false confessions obtained under torture.

As there are no legal distinctions made between murder and manslaughter, whether voluntary or involuntary in Iran, those charged under the umbrella term of “premeditated murder” will receive the death penalty regardless of intent and the circumstances.