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More than 20 Olympic champions, coaches and other international athletes have signed a statement calling for a halt to the capital punishment of a boxing titleholder and trainer, who is facing execution in the country.

Growing Global Anger

During growing international outrage over the nation's increasing application of capital punishment as a instrument of oppression, the powerfully expressed appeal condemns the government's verdict to uphold the death sentence of Mohammad Javad Vafaei Sani.

Vafaei Sani, three decades old, from Mashhad in the northern province, was arrested for taking part in national uprisings in two thousand nineteen and charged of backing an opposition group. He has spent 60 months in incarceration, where he has been abused and confined in seclusion.

“Competition is meant to inspire hope, solidarity, and courage,” the signatories expressed. “The execution of a champion for his opinions is a clear violation on these ideals and a warning to every athlete who attempts to express dissent.

History of Putting to Death Sports Figures

The statement pointed out that the boxer's case was not unique and emphasized Iran’s history of executing sports champions for their convictions, including a national team leader, leader of the national football team, and a women's sports leader, skipper of the female volleyball side. In two thousand twenty, a wrestling champion, a young national sports titleholder, faced the death penalty.

Further signatories to the letter comprise Tracy Edwards, who captained the first female-only team in a round-the-world competition and was the initial female to receive a esteemed yachting trophy; the previous leader of the national squad Craig Foster; and a footballer, who was in the Iranian squad for the international competition.

Apprehension and Unjust Proceedings

Vafaei Sani was arrested in the spring of 2020. The charges against him included “promoting decay on Earth through fire-setting and ruin of state assets”. His sentence has been reversed twice but on October 4 it was maintained on the latest review. His court case was condemned as “deeply biased” by advocates and groups.

Urging to United Nations

The urging to prevent Vafaei Sani’s death sentence is subsequent to a earlier letter to the UN high commissioner for freedoms, endorsed by more than 100 human rights experts and groups, demanding intervention to prevent the competitor's death.

Capital Punishment Escalation

According to reports, there is an “execution crisis in the country, which has reached horrific proportions”. In two thousand twenty-three, officials sentenced at least eight hundred fifty-three people – a nearly half rise on the previous year. In the prior period, statistics showed 972 executions, constituting the maximum count since 2015. In excess of hundreds of people have been put to death so far in 2025.

Activists and opponents are victims, notably in the aftermath of the 2022 uprising. Specialists say the government have used the executions to stifle protest, generate anxiety among the citizenry and strengthen their grip on authority.