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More than twenty Olympic champions, mentors and additional global sports figures have put their names to a letter calling for a halt to the death penalty of a boxing champion and coach, who is sentenced to die in Iran.

Growing International Outrage

During rising worldwide anger over Iran’s expanding employment of the death penalty as a means of oppression, the powerfully expressed appeal denounces the Iranian regime's decision to maintain the death sentence of Mohammad Javad Vafaei Sani.

Vafaei Sani, 30, from Mashhad in the northern province, was arrested for participating in national uprisings in the year 2019 and accused of backing an opposition group. He has endured half a decade in prison, where he has been tortured and kept in seclusion.

“Athletics is intended to inspire optimism, togetherness, and fortitude,” the supporters stated. “The execution of a champion for his political views is a clear violation on these principles and a admonition to all sportspeople who attempts to voice opinions.

Record of Putting to Death Athletes

The appeal noted that the boxer's case was not unique and underscored the nation's record of sentencing to death athletes for their beliefs, such as a football captain, captain of the soccer squad, and a women's sports leader, captain of the female volleyball side. In two thousand twenty, Navid Afkari, a 27-year-old national sports titleholder, faced the death penalty.

Additional endorsers to the statement comprise a sailing champion, who led the pioneering female-only team in a round-the-world competition and was the pioneering lady to be awarded a esteemed yachting trophy; the former leader of the soccer side an athlete; and a sports figure, who was in the national team for the global tournament.

Detention and Flawed Legal Process

The athlete was taken into custody in March 2020. The accusations against him entailed “causing deterioration on Earth through arson and destruction of public property”. His verdict has been reversed on two occasions but on 4 October it was upheld on the latest review. His legal proceedings was criticized as “deeply biased” by advocates and bodies.

Urging to UN

The urging to stop Vafaei Sani’s capital punishment is subsequent to a earlier letter to the global human rights chief for freedoms, signed by in excess of 100 rights specialists and organizations, demanding measures to prevent the athlete’s execution.

Death Penalty Surge

According to findings, there is an “capital punishment escalation in Iran, which has attained alarming proportions”. In 2023, officials put to death at least over 850 people – a 48% rise on the previous year. Last year, statistics showed nine hundred seventy-two capital punishments, constituting the highest number since two thousand fifteen. Over 800 people have been put to death so far in 2025.

Political prisoners and dissidents are focus, notably in the wake of the the year 2022 uprising. Analysts say the regime have employed the executions to stifle dissent, instil anxiety among the citizenry and reinforce their grip on power.