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More than 20 Olympic medallists, coaches and further world-class competitors have put their names to a appeal urging a halt to the death penalty of a champion boxer and trainer, who is sentenced to die in the nation.

Growing International Outrage

During increasing worldwide anger over the country's increasing application of executions as a tool of suppression, the forcefully phrased appeal censures the Iranian regime's decision to confirm the execution order of Mohammad Javad Vafaei Sani.

The boxer, 30, from Mashhad in the northeastern region, was arrested for participating in countrywide demonstrations in 2019 and indicted of backing an dissident organization. He has passed 60 months in detention, where he has been tortured and held in seclusion.

“Athletics is meant to inspire faith, togetherness, and bravery,” the signatories expressed. “The capital punishment of a champion for his beliefs is a direct assault on these values and a admonition to any competitor who attempts to express dissent.

History of Executing Athletes

The statement pointed out that the boxer's circumstances was not an isolated one and underscored Iran’s past of sentencing to death competitors for their beliefs, for example Habib Khabiri, captain of the national football team, and a volleyball captain, skipper of the women's volleyball squad. In two thousand twenty, Navid Afkari, a young national wrestling champion, was also executed.

Additional signatories to the letter comprise Tracy Edwards, who captained the inaugural all-female crew in a international sailing event and was the pioneering lady to receive a renowned nautical honor; the previous skipper of the soccer side Craig Foster; and Bahram Mavaddat, who was in the Iranian squad for the international competition.

Detention and Flawed Legal Process

Vafaei Sani was detained in March 2020. The charges against him comprised “spreading corruption on Earth through fire-setting and destruction of public property”. His ruling has been reversed twice but on October 4 it was confirmed on the third occasion. His court case was condemned as “grossly unfair” by human rights activists and organizations.

Urging to United Nations

The urging to halt the athlete's execution is subsequent to a 2023 statement to the global human rights chief for human rights, signed by over a hundred rights specialists and groups, calling for measures to stop the competitor's capital punishment.

Capital Punishment Escalation

According to findings, there is an “execution crisis in the country, which has reached shocking dimensions”. In 2023, the government put to death at least over 850 people – a 48% increase on 2022. Last year, statistics showed 972 capital punishments, constituting the highest number since the year 2015. More than 800 people have been sentenced so far in the current year.

Activists and dissidents are victims, especially in the wake of the the year 2022 protests. Specialists say the government have used the death penalty to stifle opposition, generate apprehension among the population and tighten their control on authority.