{"id":17623,"date":"2026-11-11T08:18:25","date_gmt":"2026-11-11T00:18:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/?p=17623"},"modified":"2026-11-11T08:18:29","modified_gmt":"2026-11-11T00:18:29","slug":"the-iranian-regime-is-executing-athlete-dissidents-why-and-what-can-be-done","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/the-iranian-regime-is-executing-athlete-dissidents-why-and-what-can-be-done\/","title":{"rendered":"The Iranian regime is executing athlete dissidents. Why? And what can be\u00a0done?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mostafavi, who had ascended many of the world\u2019s highest peaks, including Mount Everest, was \u201cswiftly\u201d sentenced to death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/De_9D-sCFHK\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\" style=\" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\"><div style=\"padding:16px;\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/De_9D-sCFHK\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;\" target=\"_blank\"> <div style=\" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;\"> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding: 19% 0;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;\"><svg width=\"50px\" height=\"50px\" viewBox=\"0 0 60 60\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\"><g stroke=\"none\" stroke-width=\"1\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><g transform=\"translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)\" fill=\"#000000\"><g><path d=\"M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631\"><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/svg><\/div><div style=\"padding-top: 8px;\"> <div style=\" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;\">View this post on Instagram<\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\"><div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: 8px;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: auto;\"> <div style=\" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\"><\/div> <div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\"><\/div><\/div><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/a><p style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/De_9D-sCFHK\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;\" target=\"_blank\">A post shared by Firstpost (@firstpost)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n<script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Athletes and other high-profile Iranians accused of dissent have long been targeted by the country\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In September, more than 40 countries issued a joint statement condemning the \u201ccontinued and escalating use of the death penalty in Iran\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Iranian athletes are being murdered by the state<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Coaches and referees have been identified among those killed during the crackdowns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These politically motivated killings are exacerbated at times of major public unrest: in 2022, several high-profile athletes who supported the \u201cwoman, life, freedom\u201d uprising were also targeted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now, Human Rights for Sport believes there are seven athletes currently detained who are at imminent risk of execution:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">Taraneh Rahimi, a 20-year-old equestrian athlete<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Maryam Hadavand Siri, a 42-year-old mountain climber<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Ali Pishe Varzadeh, a 28-year-old water polo player and swimmer<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Ehsan Khodadadi, a 31-year-old wrestler<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Ehsan Hosseinipour, a 19-year-old soccer player<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Benyamin Naghdi, a 26-year-old boxer<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Mohamad Javad Vafaei Sani, a 33-year-old boxer and coach.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why athletes?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Athletes, especially wrestlers, enjoy national \u201cPahlevan\u201d (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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The regime uses a range of controls against athletes, with execution being the most extreme. Executing a champion sends the most powerful possible signal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Deterrence through public and televised executions aims to both terrorise dissenters and appease the regime\u2019s followers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/DWGmlbGjyLu\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\" style=\" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\"><div style=\"padding:16px;\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/DWGmlbGjyLu\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;\" target=\"_blank\"> <div style=\" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;\"> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding: 19% 0;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;\"><svg width=\"50px\" height=\"50px\" viewBox=\"0 0 60 60\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\"><g stroke=\"none\" stroke-width=\"1\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><g transform=\"translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)\" fill=\"#000000\"><g><path d=\"M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631\"><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/svg><\/div><div style=\"padding-top: 8px;\"> <div style=\" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;\">View this post on Instagram<\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\"><div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: 8px;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: auto;\"> <div style=\" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\"><\/div> <div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\"><\/div><\/div><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/a><p style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/DWGmlbGjyLu\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;\" target=\"_blank\">A post shared by ABC News (@abcnews)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n<script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">No separation between state and sport<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When the Islamic Republic of Iran was established following the 1979 Islamic Revolution, athletes (both men and women) were initially promoted as symbols of national pride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sport\u2019s growing popularity and profitability was quickly identified by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini\u2019s regime as a mechanism for social control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Since then, human rights organisations have repeatedly raised serious concerns about torture, forced confessions, denial of legal rights, and fair-trial violations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The leadership of key Iranian sport clubs and organisations have been taken over by political or security-military personnel, including current and former members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Many countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia and members of the European Union, have listed the IRGC as a state sponsor of terrorism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 2022, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) withdrew the licences of state-owned Iranian clubs to play in its Champions League until the clubs\u2019 ownership was broadened. Yet, the president of Iran\u2019s Football Federation, Mehdi Taj, a former member of the IRGC, remains an AFC vice-president.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why aren\u2019t sports bodies doing more?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is widely recognised as the global sports authority, with a mandate to protect the integrity of the Olympic movement and prevent athlete abuse and harassment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Its Olympic Charter requires national Olympic committees to be independent and resist political pressure. Yet in Iran there is no separation between the state and sport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The IOC could sanction Iran\u2019s National Olympic Committee for political interference and the persecution of athletes. It has suspended Kuwait\u2019s Olympic committee twice (in 2010 and 2015), India in 2012, and Guatemala in 2022 because of government interference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is unclear why the IOC has not responded similarly with Iran.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In March 2023, the IOC executive board \u201cexpressed serious concerns\u201d for the fate of Iranian athletes. But, placated by Iranian assurances the Olympic Charter would be respected, no action beyond \u201cmonitoring\u201d was taken.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The sports community has continued to demand the IOC and major international federations uphold their human rights commitments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In December 2025, the Sport &amp; Rights Alliance \u2013 a global coalition of human rights, labour rights and anti-corruption organisations \u2013 wrote to IOC President Kirsty Coventry. It requested an urgent intervention to protect Iranian athletes. But an IOC representative responded by stating<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">the IOC has chosen at this stage not to pursue further action beyond ongoing monitoring and engagement through the relevant Olympic stakeholders.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In March 2026, Global Athlete \u2013 an international, athlete-led advocacy movement \u2013 demanded the IOC and other international federations suspend Iran from international sport. Yet Iranian athletes continue to participate fully in Olympic- and international federation-sanctioned events, including the current Dakar Youth Olympic Games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While it is true the IOC cannot directly prevent athletes being persecuted, it told us when approached for comment:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Situations like those of the Iranian athletes impacted by the events unfolding in their country \u2013 as for all athletes who face conflict and tragedies \u2013 are sadly increasing due to the divided world in which we live.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At the same time, the IOC is a sports organisation that focuses on being able to bring the world together in peaceful competition. The IOC, as a civil, non-governmental organisation, has neither the remit nor the ability to change the laws or political system of a sovereign country.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Small steps may lead to change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So, what can be done?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Governments and international sports bodies must apply their own human rights commitments to Iran, starting with:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">monitoring human rights violations, condemning athlete persecution and enforcing accountability measures<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">establishing pathways for athletes at risk to safe countries, including via scholarships, visas and relocation programs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">supporting the right of Iranian athletes to compete and speak freely without fear of retaliation against themselves or their families<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">making sport development funding conditional, including through annual public reporting on compliance with international human rights standards<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">blocking international event bids and hosting rights<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">excluding IRGC-linked officials from sport leadership roles, and travel and entry visas.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">More international pressure, and strong human rights commitments from international sports bodies, may offer the greater protection for all athletes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/catherine-ordway-382794\">Catherine Ordway<\/a>, Visiting Scholar, School of Business, CBR, <em><a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/institutions\/unsw-1414\">UNSW<\/a><\/em> ; <a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/leila-khanjaninejad-2616636\">Leila Khanjaninejad<\/a>, Senior Lecturer, Monash Business School, <em><a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/institutions\/monash-university-1065\">Monash University<\/a><\/em>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/sascha-dominik-dov-bachmann-124784\">Sascha-Dominik (Dov) Bachmann<\/a>, Professor in Law and Security, <em><a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/institutions\/university-of-canberra-865\">University of Canberra<\/a><\/em>; <em><a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/institutions\/stellenbosch-university-1439\">Stellenbosch University<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">This article is republished from <a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\">The Conversation<\/a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/the-iranian-regime-is-executing-athlete-dissidents-why-and-what-can-be-done-295449\">original article<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>On October 14, Iranian mountain climber and musician Ali-Sina Mostafavi was executed because of his alleged armed involvement<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":17624,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[44],"tags":[526],"class_list":["post-17623","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-international","tag-human-rights"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t<!-- All in One SEO 5.0.4 - aioseo.com -->\n\t<meta name=\"description\" content=\"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. 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Mostafavi, who had ascended many of the world\u2019s highest peaks, including Mount Everest, was \u201cswiftly\u201d sentenced to death. View this post on","twitter:image":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/INFINITY-SPORT-logo-1.png"},"aioseo_meta_data":{"post_id":"17623","title":null,"description":null,"keywords":null,"keyphrases":{"focus":{"keyphrase":"","score":0,"analysis":{"keyphraseInTitle":{"score":0,"maxScore":9,"error":1}}},"additional":[]},"primary_term":null,"canonical_url":null,"og_title":null,"og_description":null,"og_object_type":"default","og_image_type":"default","og_image_url":null,"og_image_width":null,"og_image_height":null,"og_image_custom_url":null,"og_image_custom_fields":null,"og_video":"","og_custom_url":null,"og_article_section":null,"og_article_tags":null,"twitter_use_og":false,"twitter_card":"default","twitter_image_type":"default","twitter_image_url":null,"twitter_image_custom_url":null,"twitter_image_custom_fields":null,"twitter_title":null,"twitter_description":null,"schema":{"blockGraphs":[],"customGraphs":[],"default":{"data":{"Article":[],"Course":[],"Dataset":[],"FAQPage":[],"Movie":[],"Person":[],"Product":[],"ProductReview":[],"Car":[],"Recipe":[],"Service":[],"SoftwareApplication":[],"WebPage":[]},"graphName":"BlogPosting","isEnabled":true},"graphs":[]},"schema_type":"default","schema_type_options":null,"pillar_content":false,"robots_default":true,"robots_noindex":false,"robots_noarchive":false,"robots_nosnippet":false,"robots_nofollow":false,"robots_noimageindex":false,"robots_noodp":false,"robots_notranslate":false,"robots_max_snippet":"-1","robots_max_videopreview":"-1","robots_max_imagepreview":"large","priority":null,"frequency":"default","local_seo":null,"breadcrumb_settings":null,"limit_modified_date":false,"ai":{"faqs":[],"keyPoints":[],"schemas":[],"titles":[],"descriptions":[],"socialPosts":{"email":{"subject":"","preview":"","content":""},"linkedin":[],"twitter":[],"facebook":[],"instagram":[]}},"created":"2026-11-10 13:32:35","updated":"2026-11-11 00:53:48","seo_analyzer_scan_date":null,"focus_keyword":null,"additional_keywords":null,"truseo_locale":null},"aioseo_breadcrumb":"<div class=\"aioseo-breadcrumbs\"><span class=\"aioseo-breadcrumb\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/\" title=\"Home\">Home<\/a>\n\t\t<\/span><span class=\"aioseo-breadcrumb-separator\">\u00bb<\/span><span class=\"aioseo-breadcrumb\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/category\/international\/\" title=\"International\">International<\/a>\n\t\t<\/span><span class=\"aioseo-breadcrumb-separator\">\u00bb<\/span><span class=\"aioseo-breadcrumb\">\n\t\t\tThe Iranian regime is executing athlete dissidents. Why? And what can be done?\n\t\t<\/span><\/div>","aioseo_breadcrumb_json":[{"label":"Home","link":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/"},{"label":"International","link":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/category\/international\/"},{"label":"The Iranian regime is executing athlete dissidents. Why? 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