Julybird

Iran has executed three men, including 19-year-old Saleh Mohammadi from its national wrestling team, after they were accused of killing two police officers during protests in January. Rights groups argue that the trio were executed without a fair trial and had given confessions under torture. CBS News contributor and Iranian activist @AlinejadMasih said the Iranian regime's decision to execute athletes is strategic as "they are the role models and heroes of millions of people" across the country. "When an athlete joined the uprising and say no to regime, it breaks the propaganda tool of the entire regime," Alinejad said. cbsn.ws/4uKgi2I

Today, in Iran, in the middle of a war, the regime executed a 19-year-old national wrestling champion for the crime of joining January protests. 💔 After signaling to the world, including President @realDonaldTrump, that they would halt executions of protesters, the regime has done the exact opposite. Three young protesters, Saleh Mohammadi, Mehdi Ghasemi, and Saeed Davoudi, were hanged in Qom after a sham trial. Reports indicate torture. Forced confessions. No access to chosen lawyers. Closed-door proceedings. No right to appeal. I call on @GlobalAthleteHQ to stand with Iranian athletes who are being silenced, imprisoned, and executed simply for raising their voices. This is not just about sports. This is about human dignity.