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More than 20 Olympic medallists, trainers and further world-class competitors have endorsed a statement urging a halt to the death penalty of a boxing titleholder and coach, who is sentenced to die in Iran.

Growing Global Anger

Amid rising worldwide anger over the country's escalating use of executions as a means of repression, the powerfully expressed statement denounces the Iranian regime's verdict to maintain the capital punishment of the athlete.

The athlete, 30, from the city in the northeastern region, was taken into custody for participating in countrywide demonstrations in two thousand nineteen and accused of backing an dissident organization. He has endured half a decade in prison, where he has been mistreated and held in solitary confinement.

“Competition is designed to promote optimism, unity, and bravery,” the supporters expressed. “The capital punishment of a titleholder for his beliefs is a blatant attack on these principles and a caution to any competitor who dares to voice opinions.

Pattern of Executing Athletes

The letter pointed out that the boxer's situation was part of a pattern and highlighted the country's past of sentencing to death competitors for their views, for example a national team leader, skipper of the national football team, and a women's sports leader, skipper of the women's volleyball squad. In 2020, a wrestling champion, a 27-year-old national sports titleholder, was put to death.

Other signatories to the appeal include a sailing champion, who skippered the pioneering female-only team in a round-the-world competition and was the pioneering lady to earn a prestigious sailing award; the ex- leader of the soccer side an athlete; and a sports figure, who was in the national team for the 1978 World Cup.

Apprehension and Unjust Proceedings

Vafaei Sani was arrested in March 2020. The allegations against him comprised “spreading corruption on Earth through fire-setting and ruin of public property”. His ruling has been overturned on two occasions but on October 4 it was confirmed on the third attempt. His trial was denounced as “deeply biased” by advocates and groups.

Call to United Nations

The appeal to stop the athlete's death sentence is subsequent to a earlier letter to the global human rights chief for freedoms, endorsed by over a hundred human rights experts and entities, urging intervention to prevent the athlete’s capital punishment.

Execution Crisis

As per findings, there is an “capital punishment escalation in Iran, which has attained shocking levels”. In two thousand twenty-three, authorities executed at least over 850 people – a 48% rise on 2022. In the prior period, statistics showed 972 executions, representing the maximum count since the year 2015. Over eight hundred people have been sentenced so far in 2025.

Activists and opponents are victims, especially in the wake of the the year 2022 uprising. Analysts say the Iranian authorities have employed the executions to stifle dissent, generate apprehension among the citizenry and strengthen their hold on rule.