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Over two dozen Olympic medallists, trainers and other world-class competitors have endorsed a statement urging a end to the capital punishment of a champion boxer and trainer, who is on death row in Iran.

Escalating Global Anger

During increasing global condemnation over the country's escalating use of the death penalty as a tool of repression, the powerfully expressed appeal censures the Iranian regime's decision to confirm the capital punishment of the athlete.

The boxer, 30, from Mashhad in north-east Iran, was arrested for being involved in nationwide protests in two thousand nineteen and accused of aiding an dissident organization. He has endured half a decade in incarceration, where he has been abused and held in solitary confinement.

“Competition is designed to inspire hope, solidarity, and bravery,” the supporters stated. “The execution of a champion for his opinions is a direct assault on these values and a caution to every athlete who attempts to speak out.

History of Killing Sports Figures

The statement pointed out that the boxer's case was not an isolated one and highlighted Iran’s record of putting to death sports champions for their beliefs, such as a football captain, skipper of the soccer squad, and a volleyball captain, skipper of the women's volleyball squad. In two thousand twenty, an athlete, a young national sports titleholder, faced the death penalty.

Further signatories to the letter consist of a sailing champion, who led the inaugural women's squad in a international sailing event and was the initial female to receive a esteemed nautical honor; the previous skipper of the national squad an athlete; and a sports figure, who was in the Iranian squad for the 1978 World Cup.

Arrest and Unfair Trial

The athlete was arrested in the spring of 2020. The accusations against him comprised “causing deterioration on Earth through fire-setting and ruin of state assets”. His verdict has been annulled multiple times but on October 4 it was confirmed on the third attempt. His legal proceedings was criticized as “highly unjust” by rights defenders and organizations.

Urging to UN

The appeal to halt Vafaei Sani’s capital punishment follows a 2023 statement to the UN high commissioner for human rights, endorsed by in excess of 100 advocates and groups, urging intervention to stop the athlete’s death.

Capital Punishment Escalation

Based on data, there is an “capital punishment escalation in the country, which has attained shocking levels”. In 2023, officials put to death at least 853 people – a nearly half increase on 2022. The year before, statistics showed nine hundred seventy-two capital punishments, constituting the peak figure since two thousand fifteen. Over eight hundred people have been executed so far in 2025.

Political prisoners and dissidents are focus, especially in the aftermath of the 2022 protests. Specialists say the regime have used the death penalty to suppress opposition, instil anxiety among the population and strengthen their grip on authority.