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More than two dozen Olympic medal winners, trainers and other international athletes have endorsed a letter demanding a halt to the death penalty of a boxing titleholder and instructor, who is facing execution in the country.

Growing International Outrage

Amid increasing global condemnation over the nation's expanding employment of the death penalty as a tool of suppression, the powerfully expressed appeal denounces the authorities's verdict to uphold the execution order of Mohammad Javad Vafaei Sani.

The boxer, 30, from the city in north-east Iran, was taken into custody for taking part in national uprisings in the year 2019 and accused of aiding an opposition group. He has passed five years in detention, where he has been tortured and kept in isolation.

“Sport is meant to inspire faith, unity, and fortitude,” the endorsers expressed. “The execution of a titleholder for his beliefs is a blatant attack on these ideals and a caution to any competitor who ventures to speak out.

History of Killing Athletes

The statement noted that the athlete's case was not unique and emphasized the nation's record of putting to death athletes for their views, such as a football captain, captain of the national football team, and Fourouzan Abdi, skipper of the national women’s volleyball team. In two thousand twenty, an athlete, a 27-year-old Iranian competitor, was also executed.

Further signatories to the letter include Tracy Edwards, who led the first female-only team in a international sailing event and was the pioneering lady to receive a renowned yachting trophy; the ex- captain of the soccer side Craig Foster; and Bahram Mavaddat, who was in the country's selection for the 1978 World Cup.

Detention and Unjust Proceedings

Vafaei Sani was taken into custody in March 2020. The charges against him comprised “promoting decay on Earth through arson and destruction of government belongings”. His sentence has been annulled twice but on October 4 it was upheld on the latest review. His legal proceedings was criticized as “highly unjust” by advocates and groups.

Appeal to United Nations

The urging to halt the boxer's capital punishment is subsequent to a previous statement to the United Nations official for human rights, signed by more than 100 advocates and entities, urging measures to prevent the sports figure's capital punishment.

Execution Crisis

As per data, there is an “execution crisis in the country, which has attained horrific levels”. In two thousand twenty-three, authorities put to death at least eight hundred fifty-three people – a 48% surge on 2022. The year before, data showed nine hundred seventy-two deaths, marking the peak figure since 2015. Over hundreds of people have been sentenced so far in 2025.

Dissidents and opponents are targets, notably in the wake of the 2022's demonstrations. Experts say the Iranian authorities have used the capital punishment to stifle protest, instil apprehension among the public and strengthen their hold on power.