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Over two dozen Olympic medallists, mentors and further international athletes have signed a statement urging a stop to the execution of a boxing champion and trainer, who is sentenced to die in Iran.

Increasing Global Anger

Amidst increasing international outrage over Iran’s expanding employment of the death penalty as a means of repression, the forcefully phrased appeal condemns the Iranian regime's decision to confirm the capital punishment of the athlete.

The athlete, three decades old, from Mashhad in the northern province, was detained for being involved in national uprisings in the year 2019 and indicted of backing an dissident organization. He has spent 60 months in prison, where he has been tortured and kept in solitary confinement.

“Sport is intended to inspire optimism, unity, and fortitude,” the endorsers wrote. “The death penalty of a winner for his opinions is a blatant attack on these principles and a warning to every athlete who dares to speak out.

History of Killing Sports Figures

The appeal said that the athlete's case was not unique and highlighted the nation's past of sentencing to death competitors for their convictions, such as Habib Khabiri, captain of the national football team, and a women's sports leader, leader of the national women’s volleyball team. In 2020, an athlete, a 27-year-old national competitor, was put to death.

Other supporters to the statement comprise a sailing champion, who skippered the inaugural female-only team in a global yacht race and was the first woman to receive a esteemed sailing award; the former leader of the Australian football team Craig Foster; and a sports figure, who was in the country's selection for the 1978 World Cup.

Detention and Unjust Proceedings

Vafaei Sani was detained in March 2020. The allegations against him included “spreading corruption on Earth through fire-setting and destruction of government belongings”. His sentence has been overturned twice but on October 4 it was upheld on the third occasion. His court case was condemned as “grossly unfair” by advocates and bodies.

Call to UN

The appeal to stop the boxer's execution is subsequent to a previous statement to the United Nations official for freedoms, backed by in excess of one hundred advocates and groups, calling for intervention to avert the sports figure's capital punishment.

Death Penalty Surge

According to reports, there is an “execution crisis in Iran, which has achieved alarming levels”. In 2023, the government sentenced at least 853 people – a forty-eight percent rise on the previous year. In the prior period, records showed nine hundred seventy-two deaths, constituting the peak figure since two thousand fifteen. More than 800 people have been put to death so far in 2025.

Political prisoners and protesters are focus, particularly in the wake of the 2022's protests. Analysts say the Iranian authorities have utilized the executions to suppress dissent, generate fear among the citizenry and tighten their hold on rule.