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In excess of two dozen Olympic champions, trainers and further world-class competitors have endorsed a statement urging a stop to the capital punishment of a boxing champion and trainer, who is sentenced to die in Iran.

Growing Global Anger

Amidst rising international outrage over Iran’s escalating use of executions as a instrument of repression, the powerfully expressed appeal denounces the authorities's verdict to uphold the death sentence of the athlete.

The boxer, three decades old, from Mashhad in the northeastern region, was taken into custody for being involved in countrywide demonstrations in the year 2019 and accused of aiding an opposition group. He has endured half a decade in prison, where he has been mistreated and confined in solitary confinement.

“Competition is meant to promote hope, solidarity, and fortitude,” the supporters stated. “The death penalty of a winner for his opinions is a direct assault on these ideals and a warning to any competitor who ventures to voice opinions.

Pattern of Putting to Death Sports Figures

The statement noted that Vafaei Sani’s case was not an isolated one and emphasized the country's history of executing sports champions for their convictions, for example Habib Khabiri, captain of the football side, and Fourouzan Abdi, skipper of the female volleyball side. In the year 2020, Navid Afkari, a 27-year-old Iranian wrestling champion, was also executed.

Additional endorsers to the statement include a sailing champion, who led the inaugural women's squad in a global yacht race and was the initial female to be awarded a renowned sailing award; the former skipper of the soccer side Craig Foster; and Bahram Mavaddat, who was in the country's selection for the international competition.

Arrest and Unjust Proceedings

Vafaei Sani was taken into custody in the spring of 2020. The allegations against him comprised “causing deterioration on Earth through incendiarism and ruin of state assets”. His ruling has been overturned on two occasions but on October 4 it was maintained on the latest review. His legal proceedings was denounced as “deeply biased” by human rights activists and groups.

Appeal to UN

The appeal to prevent the athlete's death sentence is subsequent to a 2023 statement to the United Nations official for freedoms, endorsed by in excess of a hundred human rights experts and entities, urging action to stop the sports figure's death.

Death Penalty Surge

Based on reports, there is an “execution crisis in the nation, which has achieved shocking dimensions”. In two thousand twenty-three, the government executed at least eight hundred fifty-three people – a 48% surge on 2022. In the prior period, records showed 972 deaths, marking the highest number since 2015. Over eight hundred people have been sentenced so far in 2025.

Political prisoners and dissidents are victims, especially in the aftermath of the the year 2022 demonstrations. Analysts say the Iranian authorities have employed the capital punishment to stifle protest, instil fear among the public and reinforce their control on rule.