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Over two dozen Olympic medallists, coaches and further world-class competitors have put their names to a statement urging a halt to the execution of a champion boxer and instructor, who is sentenced to die in Iran.

Escalating Worldwide Condemnation

Amidst increasing international outrage over the nation's escalating use of executions as a tool of oppression, the forcefully phrased statement condemns the government's verdict to uphold the capital punishment of the boxing champion.

The boxer, thirty, from the city in north-east Iran, was taken into custody for participating in nationwide protests in 2019 and accused of supporting an opposition group. He has endured half a decade in detention, where he has been tortured and kept in isolation.

“Competition is meant to inspire hope, solidarity, and fortitude,” the supporters expressed. “The execution of a titleholder for his beliefs is a blatant attack on these ideals and a caution to all sportspeople who attempts to speak out.

Pattern of Executing Athletes

The appeal said that Vafaei Sani’s situation was not unique and highlighted the country's history of putting to death athletes for their views, including a football captain, skipper of the national football team, and Fourouzan Abdi, leader of the national women’s volleyball team. In the year 2020, Navid Afkari, a 27-year national competitor, was put to death.

Further supporters to the statement include Tracy Edwards, who skippered the first all-female crew in a global yacht race and was the initial female to be awarded a renowned nautical honor; the ex- skipper of the Australian football team Craig Foster; and Bahram Mavaddat, who was in the national team for the global tournament.

Arrest and Unfair Trial

The athlete was taken into custody in March 2020. The allegations against him comprised “promoting decay on Earth through incendiarism and ruin of government belongings”. His verdict has been annulled multiple times but on 4 October it was confirmed on the latest review. His legal proceedings was criticized as “highly unjust” by rights defenders and bodies.

Appeal to International Body

The urging to halt the athlete's capital punishment is subsequent to a earlier letter to the global human rights chief for rights, backed by in excess of a hundred advocates and organizations, demanding action to prevent the athlete’s capital punishment.

Capital Punishment Escalation

According to reports, there is an “capital punishment escalation in the country, which has reached shocking proportions”. In two thousand twenty-three, authorities put to death at least 853 people – a nearly half rise on 2022. The year before, statistics showed nearly a thousand capital punishments, constituting the highest number since 2015. More than 800 people have been put to death so far in 2025.

Activists and opponents are focus, particularly in the aftermath of the 2022 protests. Experts say the regime have used the executions to quell protest, generate fear among the population and strengthen their hold on rule.