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Over twenty Olympic medallists, mentors and additional global sports figures have put their names to a statement urging a halt to the capital punishment of a champion boxer and coach, who is facing execution in the nation.

Growing Worldwide Condemnation

During growing worldwide anger over the country's expanding employment of the death penalty as a means of repression, the powerfully expressed appeal denounces the government's decision to maintain the death sentence of the boxing champion.

Vafaei Sani, three decades old, from the city in the northern province, was arrested for taking part in nationwide protests in 2019 and accused of backing an opposition group. He has spent half a decade in detention, where he has been abused and held in isolation.

“Sport is intended to inspire optimism, solidarity, and bravery,” the signatories wrote. “The capital punishment of a champion for his beliefs is a clear violation on these ideals and a caution to any competitor who attempts to express dissent.

Pattern of Executing Competitors

The letter noted that the boxer's situation was part of a pattern and emphasized the country's past of putting to death sports champions for their beliefs, for example a national team leader, leader of the football side, and a women's sports leader, leader of the female volleyball side. In the year 2020, an athlete, a 27-year Iranian competitor, was put to death.

Further endorsers to the appeal comprise Tracy Edwards, who captained the inaugural women's squad in a round-the-world competition and was the first woman to receive a renowned sailing award; the ex- captain of the soccer side a sports advocate; and a footballer, who was in the national team for the 1978 World Cup.

Arrest and Flawed Legal Process

The boxer was detained in the spring of 2020. The accusations against him entailed “promoting decay on Earth through fire-setting and destruction of public property”. His ruling has been overturned on two occasions but on 4 October it was upheld on the third occasion. His trial was criticized as “highly unjust” by advocates and groups.

Urging to UN

The appeal to stop Vafaei Sani’s capital punishment comes after a 2023 appeal to the UN high commissioner for rights, signed by over 100 advocates and groups, calling for measures to avert the athlete’s death.

Execution Crisis

As per findings, there is an “capital punishment escalation in the country, which has achieved alarming levels”. In two thousand twenty-three, the government executed at least 853 people – a 48% rise on the previous year. In the prior period, statistics showed nine hundred seventy-two capital punishments, marking the peak figure since 2015. Over 800 people have been executed so far in 2025.

Dissidents and opponents are focus, particularly in the wake of the the year 2022 demonstrations. Analysts say the regime have used the capital punishment to stifle opposition, create anxiety among the citizenry and strengthen their hold on rule.