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Over two dozen Olympic champions, trainers and other global sports figures have endorsed a statement demanding a halt to the execution of a boxing champion and instructor, who is sentenced to die in Iran.

Escalating Global Anger

Amidst increasing global condemnation over the country's escalating use of capital punishment as a instrument of repression, the forcefully phrased statement denounces the government's decision to maintain the death sentence of the boxing champion.

The athlete, 30, from Mashhad in the northeastern region, was taken into custody for taking part in national uprisings in the year 2019 and indicted of supporting an resistance movement. He has endured 60 months in incarceration, where he has been tortured and kept in seclusion.

“Athletics is meant to inspire hope, unity, and courage,” the supporters expressed. “The execution of a champion for his opinions is a clear violation on these values and a admonition to any competitor who attempts to speak out.

Pattern of Putting to Death Athletes

The letter said that the boxer's case was not unique and emphasized Iran’s record of sentencing to death sports champions for their views, including a national team leader, captain of the football side, and Fourouzan Abdi, skipper of the female volleyball side. In two thousand twenty, an athlete, a 27-year-old national competitor, faced the death penalty.

Other signatories to the appeal consist of Tracy Edwards, who skippered the first women's squad in a round-the-world competition and was the first woman to receive a prestigious sailing award; the ex- skipper of the Australian football team Craig Foster; and Bahram Mavaddat, who was in the Iranian squad for the international competition.

Apprehension and Unjust Proceedings

Vafaei Sani was detained in the spring of 2020. The charges against him entailed “promoting decay on Earth through fire-setting and damage of state assets”. His verdict has been overturned multiple times but on October 4 it was confirmed on the latest review. His court case was criticized as “grossly unfair” by human rights activists and groups.

Urging to United Nations

The appeal to prevent the athlete's capital punishment comes after a earlier statement to the United Nations official for rights, backed by over 100 rights specialists and entities, urging measures to prevent the sports figure's death.

Capital Punishment Escalation

Based on data, there is an “death penalty surge in the country, which has achieved alarming dimensions”. In the year 2023, the government put to death at least 853 people – a nearly half increase on the previous year. In the prior period, records showed nine hundred seventy-two capital punishments, representing the peak figure since two thousand fifteen. More than 800 people have been put to death so far in 2025.

Activists and opponents are focus, especially in the aftermath of the the year 2022 demonstrations. Specialists say the Iranian authorities have used the capital punishment to quell opposition, generate anxiety among the population and strengthen their hold on power.