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Over twenty Olympic medallists, coaches and other world-class competitors have signed a letter urging a stop to the death penalty of a boxing champion and trainer, who is facing execution in Iran.

Escalating International Outrage

Amid growing international outrage over the nation's escalating use of the death penalty as a instrument of oppression, the strongly worded letter censures the government's verdict to confirm the capital punishment of the boxing champion.

The boxer, 30, from the city in north-east Iran, was arrested for participating in nationwide protests in 2019 and accused of backing an opposition group. He has endured half a decade in detention, where he has been tortured and confined in isolation.

“Competition is intended to encourage faith, solidarity, and fortitude,” the endorsers wrote. “The death penalty of a champion for his opinions is a clear violation on these principles and a admonition to every athlete who ventures to express dissent.

Record of Executing Competitors

The statement said that the boxer's case was not an isolated one and highlighted the country's record of executing athletes for their beliefs, such as a football captain, skipper of the national football team, and Fourouzan Abdi, skipper of the female volleyball side. In two thousand twenty, Navid Afkari, a 27-year-old Iranian sports titleholder, was also executed.

Further signatories to the letter consist of a yachting pioneer, who led the pioneering all-female crew in a international sailing event and was the initial female to receive a esteemed nautical honor; the ex- skipper of the Australian football team a sports advocate; and a sports figure, who was in the country's selection for the 1978 World Cup.

Apprehension and Unjust Proceedings

The athlete was detained in March 2020. The accusations against him included “promoting decay on Earth through arson and destruction of state assets”. His ruling has been annulled multiple times but on October 4 it was confirmed on the third attempt. His court case was condemned as “grossly unfair” by advocates and groups.

Urging to United Nations

The call to halt Vafaei Sani’s execution comes after a previous appeal to the UN high commissioner for human rights, signed by more than 100 human rights experts and entities, demanding action to prevent the competitor's capital punishment.

Capital Punishment Escalation

Based on reports, there is an “death penalty surge in Iran, which has achieved shocking proportions”. In the year 2023, the government executed at least over 850 people – a 48% increase on 2022. The year before, data showed nine hundred seventy-two deaths, constituting the highest number since two thousand fifteen. More than 800 people have been sentenced so far in 2025.

Dissidents and dissidents are focus, notably in the aftermath of the the year 2022 uprising. Analysts say the regime have employed the death penalty to quell dissent, create fear among the population and strengthen their grip on power.