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Over 20 Olympic champions, mentors and further world-class competitors have signed a appeal demanding a end to the execution of a boxing titleholder and trainer, who is on death row in the country.

Growing International Outrage

Amid increasing worldwide anger over Iran’s increasing application of executions as a tool of suppression, the strongly worded statement denounces the Iranian regime's decision to uphold the execution order of the athlete.

The boxer, 30, from the city in the northern province, was taken into custody for being involved in national uprisings in 2019 and charged of supporting an opposition group. He has spent half a decade in prison, where he has been tortured and held in solitary confinement.

“Athletics is designed to promote hope, solidarity, and courage,” the signatories stated. “The death penalty of a titleholder for his beliefs is a direct assault on these values and a caution to every athlete who dares to voice opinions.

Record of Executing Athletes

The appeal pointed out that the boxer's circumstances was not an isolated one and underscored Iran’s record of sentencing to death sports champions for their views, such as a national team leader, leader of the soccer squad, and a women's sports leader, skipper of the women's volleyball squad. In two thousand twenty, an athlete, a 27-year-old Iranian competitor, was put to death.

Other endorsers to the letter consist of Tracy Edwards, who skippered the first female-only team in a round-the-world competition and was the initial female to earn a prestigious sailing award; the ex- captain of the national squad an athlete; and Bahram Mavaddat, who was in the country's selection for the international competition.

Detention and Unjust Proceedings

The athlete was taken into custody in March 2020. The accusations against him entailed “causing deterioration on Earth through incendiarism and destruction of state assets”. His verdict has been overturned multiple times but on 4 October it was confirmed on the latest review. His trial was criticized as “highly unjust” by human rights activists and groups.

Urging to UN

The appeal to prevent Vafaei Sani’s execution follows a earlier statement to the global human rights chief for rights, endorsed by over one hundred advocates and organizations, calling for action to prevent the athlete’s death.

Death Penalty Surge

Based on data, there is an “death penalty surge in the nation, which has attained shocking proportions”. In two thousand twenty-three, the government put to death at least over 850 people – a forty-eight percent rise on the previous year. Last year, records showed nearly a thousand executions, marking the highest number since 2015. More than hundreds of people have been put to death so far in 2025.

Activists and protesters are victims, especially in the wake of the 2022 demonstrations. Specialists say the Iranian authorities have utilized the capital punishment to stifle protest, generate apprehension among the public and strengthen their control on rule.