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More than twenty Olympic medal winners, mentors and additional world-class competitors have endorsed a appeal calling for a end to the execution of a boxing champion and trainer, who is on death row in the nation.

Growing International Outrage

During growing global condemnation over the country's expanding employment of executions as a means of repression, the powerfully expressed statement censures the Iranian regime's ruling to maintain the execution order of the boxing champion.

The boxer, 30, from Mashhad in north-east Iran, was taken into custody for taking part in countrywide demonstrations in 2019 and accused of backing an resistance movement. He has passed five years in incarceration, where he has been tortured and held in isolation.

“Athletics is meant to inspire optimism, solidarity, and fortitude,” the supporters stated. “The death penalty of a winner for his opinions is a blatant attack on these ideals and a admonition to every athlete who attempts to speak out.

Pattern of Putting to Death Sports Figures

The statement said that Vafaei Sani’s case was part of a pattern and highlighted the nation's record of executing athletes for their convictions, including a football captain, skipper of the football side, and a women's sports leader, leader of the female volleyball side. In two thousand twenty, an athlete, a 27-year-old Iranian competitor, was also executed.

Further signatories to the letter comprise a sailing champion, who led the inaugural women's squad in a international sailing event and was the initial female to receive a renowned sailing award; the former leader of the Australian football team Craig Foster; and a footballer, who was in the country's selection for the international competition.

Apprehension and Unfair Trial

The boxer was arrested in early 2020. The charges against him comprised “causing deterioration on Earth through fire-setting and destruction of public property”. His ruling has been annulled twice but on October 4 it was upheld on the latest review. His court case was criticized as “highly unjust” by advocates and bodies.

Appeal to United Nations

The urging to stop the athlete's execution follows a previous appeal to the United Nations official for rights, endorsed by over a hundred advocates and groups, demanding intervention to avert the competitor's execution.

Execution Crisis

According to data, there is an “death penalty surge in the nation, which has achieved alarming levels”. In two thousand twenty-three, officials put to death at least over 850 people – a 48% rise on 2022. The year before, records showed nearly a thousand executions, constituting the peak figure since the year 2015. More than hundreds of people have been sentenced so far in 2025.

Dissidents and opponents are focus, particularly in the aftermath of the 2022 uprising. Analysts say the government have used the death penalty to suppress opposition, instil apprehension among the population and reinforce their grip on rule.