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In excess of twenty Olympic medallists, trainers and other international athletes have signed a statement calling for a halt to the capital punishment of a boxing titleholder and trainer, who is facing execution in Iran.

Increasing Worldwide Condemnation

Amid rising worldwide anger over the nation's escalating use of the death penalty as a means of suppression, the strongly worded appeal censures the Iranian regime's decision to uphold the death sentence of the boxing champion.

The boxer, 30, from the city in the northeastern region, was arrested for being involved in national uprisings in two thousand nineteen and accused of aiding an opposition group. He has spent half a decade in prison, where he has been mistreated and kept in solitary confinement.

“Sport is designed to encourage faith, togetherness, and fortitude,” the endorsers stated. “The death penalty of a champion for his opinions is a clear violation on these ideals and a admonition to every athlete who ventures to voice opinions.

Pattern of Killing Competitors

The appeal pointed out that the boxer's situation was part of a pattern and highlighted Iran’s record of executing athletes for their views, including Habib Khabiri, leader of the football side, and Fourouzan Abdi, leader of the female volleyball side. In two thousand twenty, a wrestling champion, a 27-year national sports titleholder, faced the death penalty.

Other supporters to the letter comprise a yachting pioneer, who led the inaugural women's squad in a international sailing event and was the initial female to be awarded a renowned nautical honor; the ex- leader of the national squad Craig Foster; and a sports figure, who was in the country's selection for the international competition.

Apprehension and Flawed Legal Process

Vafaei Sani was taken into custody in the spring of 2020. The allegations against him included “promoting decay on Earth through fire-setting and destruction of state assets”. His verdict has been annulled twice but on October 4 it was upheld on the third occasion. His court case was condemned as “grossly unfair” by advocates and groups.

Appeal to UN

The urging to stop Vafaei Sani’s capital punishment is subsequent to a previous appeal to the UN high commissioner for human rights, backed by over one hundred human rights experts and organizations, urging intervention to stop the sports figure's capital punishment.

Death Penalty Surge

Based on findings, there is an “capital punishment escalation in the nation, which has reached alarming proportions”. In the year 2023, authorities executed at least eight hundred fifty-three people – a forty-eight percent rise on 2022. In the prior period, records showed nearly a thousand deaths, representing the peak figure since the year 2015. Over hundreds of people have been executed so far in 2025.

Dissidents and dissidents are focus, especially in the wake of the 2022 protests. Experts say the government have used the death penalty to suppress dissent, create fear among the population and strengthen their grip on power.