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Over twenty Olympic medallists, mentors and other international athletes have signed a letter urging a halt to the execution of a boxing titleholder and coach, who is facing execution in the nation.

Escalating Global Anger

During growing worldwide anger over the nation's escalating use of executions as a tool of oppression, the forcefully phrased statement censures the authorities's ruling to confirm the death sentence of the boxing champion.

The boxer, three decades old, from the city in the northeastern region, was taken into custody for taking part in countrywide demonstrations in two thousand nineteen and accused of backing an opposition group. He has passed five years in prison, where he has been mistreated and held in seclusion.

“Competition is meant to inspire faith, solidarity, and fortitude,” the signatories wrote. “The capital punishment of a champion for his beliefs is a blatant attack on these principles and a caution to all sportspeople who ventures to speak out.

History of Putting to Death Athletes

The letter noted that Vafaei Sani’s situation was part of a pattern and underscored the nation's history of sentencing to death competitors for their convictions, such as a football captain, leader of the soccer squad, and Fourouzan Abdi, leader of the female volleyball side. In the year 2020, an athlete, a 27-year-old national wrestling champion, was also executed.

Other supporters to the appeal include Tracy Edwards, who captained the first female-only team in a round-the-world competition and was the pioneering lady to receive a prestigious sailing award; the previous captain of the national squad a sports advocate; and a footballer, who was in the country's selection for the global tournament.

Detention and Unjust Proceedings

Vafaei Sani was detained in March 2020. The charges against him included “spreading corruption on Earth through arson and damage of public property”. His verdict has been overturned on two occasions but on 4 October it was confirmed on the third occasion. His legal proceedings was condemned as “grossly unfair” by advocates and organizations.

Appeal to International Body

The call to prevent the athlete's death sentence follows a earlier letter to the global human rights chief for human rights, endorsed by in excess of one hundred rights specialists and organizations, calling for measures to avert the competitor's capital punishment.

Execution Crisis

According to reports, there is an “death penalty surge in Iran, which has reached horrific proportions”. In two thousand twenty-three, officials put to death at least 853 people – a forty-eight percent rise on 2022. The year before, statistics showed 972 capital punishments, constituting the peak figure since two thousand fifteen. In excess of hundreds of people have been executed so far in 2025.

Political prisoners and protesters are focus, especially in the aftermath of the 2022's uprising. Specialists say the Iranian authorities have used the executions to stifle dissent, generate apprehension among the citizenry and tighten their hold on rule.