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More than two dozen Olympic champions, trainers and other international athletes have signed a appeal urging a end to the execution of a champion boxer and trainer, who is sentenced to die in the nation.

Growing International Outrage

During rising worldwide anger over the country's escalating use of capital punishment as a tool of suppression, the powerfully expressed statement condemns the government's ruling to confirm the death sentence of the boxing champion.

Vafaei Sani, 30, from the city in the northeastern region, was arrested for taking part in countrywide demonstrations in two thousand nineteen and charged of aiding an resistance movement. He has passed half a decade in incarceration, where he has been mistreated and confined in seclusion.

“Competition is designed to inspire faith, togetherness, and bravery,” the endorsers wrote. “The capital punishment of a titleholder for his political views is a blatant attack on these values and a warning to every athlete who dares to voice opinions.

History of Putting to Death Sports Figures

The letter said that the athlete's circumstances was not unique and underscored the nation's record of executing sports champions for their views, for example a national team leader, skipper of the soccer squad, and a women's sports leader, skipper of the national women’s volleyball team. In the year 2020, Navid Afkari, a 27-year Iranian wrestling champion, was put to death.

Additional signatories to the statement include Tracy Edwards, who led the inaugural women's squad in a global yacht race and was the initial female to be awarded a renowned yachting trophy; the ex- captain of the Australian football team an athlete; and a sports figure, who was in the country's selection for the global tournament.

Detention and Unfair Trial

Vafaei Sani was taken into custody in early 2020. The allegations against him comprised “causing deterioration on Earth through incendiarism and ruin of public property”. His verdict has been annulled on two occasions but on the fourth of October it was confirmed on the third occasion. His legal proceedings was criticized as “grossly unfair” by human rights activists and organizations.

Appeal to United Nations

The urging to prevent the athlete's death sentence follows a 2023 appeal to the UN high commissioner for rights, signed by in excess of one hundred human rights experts and groups, urging action to avert the competitor's capital punishment.

Capital Punishment Escalation

According to reports, there is an “death penalty surge in the nation, which has reached shocking dimensions”. In 2023, officials put to death at least 853 people – a nearly half increase on 2022. Last year, records showed nine hundred seventy-two capital punishments, representing the maximum count since the year 2015. Over eight hundred people have been sentenced so far in 2025.

Political prisoners and opponents are victims, notably in the aftermath of the the year 2022 protests. Analysts say the Iranian authorities have used the executions to suppress protest, create fear among the citizenry and tighten their control on authority.