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Over 20 Olympic champions, coaches and additional international athletes have put their names to a letter demanding a end to the capital punishment of a champion boxer and trainer, who is sentenced to die in the nation.

Growing International Outrage

Amid rising worldwide anger over the nation's increasing application of capital punishment as a means of repression, the strongly worded statement censures the authorities's verdict to confirm the capital punishment of the athlete.

The athlete, 30, from Mashhad in the northeastern region, was arrested for taking part in national uprisings in 2019 and accused of aiding an opposition group. He has passed half a decade in detention, where he has been tortured and held in solitary confinement.

“Competition is meant to inspire optimism, unity, and bravery,” the supporters wrote. “The death penalty of a winner for his political views is a direct assault on these ideals and a caution to any competitor who attempts to speak out.

Pattern of Executing Competitors

The letter noted that the athlete's case was not unique and underscored the nation's past of putting to death athletes for their views, such as a football captain, captain of the national football team, and a volleyball captain, skipper of the national women’s volleyball team. In the year 2020, a wrestling champion, a 27-year Iranian sports titleholder, was put to death.

Other signatories to the letter comprise Tracy Edwards, who led the pioneering female-only team in a international sailing event and was the pioneering lady to be awarded a esteemed sailing award; the previous skipper of the Australian football team a sports advocate; and a sports figure, who was in the country's selection for the global tournament.

Arrest and Unfair Trial

The boxer was taken into custody in early 2020. The allegations against him entailed “spreading corruption on Earth through incendiarism and ruin of state assets”. His sentence has been overturned on two occasions but on October 4 it was upheld on the third occasion. His legal proceedings was denounced as “deeply biased” by human rights activists and organizations.

Call to United Nations

The urging to prevent Vafaei Sani’s capital punishment is subsequent to a previous appeal to the United Nations official for human rights, endorsed by more than 100 rights specialists and organizations, calling for action to avert the sports figure's capital punishment.

Execution Crisis

According to data, there is an “capital punishment escalation in the country, which has attained horrific proportions”. In 2023, officials sentenced at least eight hundred fifty-three people – a 48% rise on the previous year. The year before, statistics showed nine hundred seventy-two executions, representing the highest number since 2015. In excess of hundreds of people have been put to death so far in 2025.

Political prisoners and protesters are focus, especially in the aftermath of the 2022 demonstrations. Experts say the government have utilized the executions to stifle opposition, generate fear among the public and tighten their hold on power.