Death Sentence of Former Greco-Roman Wrestler Carried Out in Nowshahr, Iran

Hengaw: Wednesday, September 11, 2024

Morteza Yousefi, a 40-year-old former champion of the Iranian Greco-Roman wrestling team, was executed in Nowshahr Central Prison after being sentenced to death on drug-related charges.

According to a report received by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, Yousefi, a resident of the village of Sang-Tajan in Nowshahr County, Mazandaran Province, was executed on the morning of Wednesday, September 11, 2024. He had been arrested on drug charges and sentenced to death by the judiciary of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Morteza Yousefi held a bachelor’s degree in physical education and was a dedicated wrestler and coach in the Greco-Roman wrestling discipline. Hassan Rangraz, the head coach of the Iranian national Greco-Roman wrestling team, shared a picture of a letter from Morteza Yousefi addressed to the judiciary the night before the execution, urging the head of the judiciary to overturn the death sentence and reduce his punishment.

As of the time of this report, the execution of Morteza Yousefi has not been announced by state media or outlets affiliated with the judiciary.