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More than two dozen Olympic medallists, coaches and further world-class competitors have endorsed a statement demanding a end to the execution of a boxing champion and trainer, who is facing execution in the nation.

Escalating International Outrage

Amid rising international outrage over the country's expanding employment of capital punishment as a tool of suppression, the forcefully phrased letter denounces the authorities's decision to confirm the death sentence of the boxing champion.

Vafaei Sani, thirty, from the city in the northern province, was arrested for participating in national uprisings in 2019 and charged of aiding an opposition group. He has endured five years in incarceration, where he has been abused and kept in isolation.

“Athletics is meant to inspire hope, unity, and bravery,” the supporters stated. “The capital punishment of a champion for his opinions is a blatant attack on these principles and a admonition to every athlete who dares to express dissent.

History of Killing Sports Figures

The statement pointed out that Vafaei Sani’s situation was not unique and underscored Iran’s record of putting to death sports champions for their views, such as Habib Khabiri, skipper of the football side, and a volleyball captain, skipper of the female volleyball side. In two thousand twenty, Navid Afkari, a young national competitor, faced the death penalty.

Further endorsers to the statement consist of Tracy Edwards, who led the inaugural all-female crew in a international sailing event and was the first woman to receive a prestigious sailing award; the previous skipper of the Australian football team Craig Foster; and a sports figure, who was in the country's selection for the 1978 World Cup.

Arrest and Unfair Trial

Vafaei Sani was taken into custody in March 2020. The allegations against him comprised “spreading corruption on Earth through incendiarism and destruction of state assets”. His verdict has been overturned on two occasions but on 4 October it was maintained on the latest review. His trial was criticized as “highly unjust” by human rights activists and bodies.

Urging to United Nations

The urging to prevent the athlete's execution comes after a 2023 statement to the UN high commissioner for rights, signed by in excess of a hundred human rights experts and groups, urging intervention to avert the sports figure's death.

Execution Crisis

Based on data, there is an “capital punishment escalation in the country, which has attained alarming dimensions”. In two thousand twenty-three, authorities executed at least over 850 people – a nearly half surge on 2022. The year before, statistics showed nine hundred seventy-two capital punishments, representing the maximum count since two thousand fifteen. Over 800 people have been put to death so far in 2025.

Political prisoners and opponents are targets, particularly in the aftermath of the 2022 uprising. Specialists say the Iranian authorities have used the death penalty to stifle protest, instil fear among the citizenry and reinforce their control on authority.