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More than twenty Olympic medal winners, mentors and other global sports figures have put their names to a appeal urging a end to the capital punishment of a boxing titleholder and coach, who is facing execution in the country.

Escalating Worldwide Condemnation

Amid growing international outrage over Iran’s expanding employment of the death penalty as a means of suppression, the strongly worded statement censures the authorities's verdict to confirm the death sentence of the athlete.

The boxer, three decades old, from the city in north-east Iran, was detained for participating in nationwide protests in two thousand nineteen and indicted of backing an opposition group. He has passed half a decade in incarceration, where he has been tortured and kept in isolation.

“Competition is meant to encourage optimism, togetherness, and bravery,” the supporters expressed. “The death penalty of a winner for his political views is a direct assault on these values and a warning to all sportspeople who dares to express dissent.

History of Executing Athletes

The statement noted that Vafaei Sani’s circumstances was not unique and underscored Iran’s history of sentencing to death athletes for their convictions, including a football captain, captain of the football side, and a volleyball captain, captain of the women's volleyball squad. In two thousand twenty, Navid Afkari, a young national competitor, faced the death penalty.

Other signatories to the statement comprise a sailing champion, who skippered the pioneering female-only team in a international sailing event and was the initial female to be awarded a esteemed sailing award; the ex- captain of the soccer side an athlete; and Bahram Mavaddat, who was in the national team for the international competition.

Apprehension and Unfair Trial

The boxer was arrested in early 2020. The charges against him comprised “spreading corruption on Earth through fire-setting and damage of government belongings”. His ruling has been reversed on two occasions but on October 4 it was upheld on the latest review. His court case was denounced as “highly unjust” by advocates and organizations.

Appeal to United Nations

The urging to stop the athlete's death sentence is subsequent to a earlier letter to the UN high commissioner for freedoms, backed by over a hundred rights specialists and organizations, demanding action to stop the competitor's execution.

Execution Crisis

According to data, there is an “death penalty surge in Iran, which has reached alarming levels”. In two thousand twenty-three, authorities put to death at least eight hundred fifty-three people – a nearly half surge on the previous year. In the prior period, data showed 972 deaths, representing the highest number since two thousand fifteen. In excess of 800 people have been put to death so far in 2025.

Political prisoners and protesters are victims, especially in the wake of the 2022's demonstrations. Experts say the Iranian authorities have employed the executions to stifle dissent, create anxiety among the public and reinforce their grip on authority.