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Over twenty Olympic medallists, coaches and further global sports figures have endorsed a appeal urging a stop to the execution of a champion boxer and coach, who is facing execution in the nation.

Increasing Worldwide Condemnation

During rising worldwide anger over the nation's escalating use of capital punishment as a tool of repression, the strongly worded appeal condemns the government's decision to uphold the death sentence of the athlete.

The athlete, three decades old, from the city in north-east Iran, was detained for being involved in nationwide protests in 2019 and accused of backing an opposition group. He has endured half a decade in detention, where he has been abused and held in solitary confinement.

“Sport is intended to inspire faith, solidarity, and bravery,” the signatories wrote. “The capital punishment of a winner for his opinions is a direct assault on these values and a warning to any competitor who ventures to speak out.

History of Executing Athletes

The appeal pointed out that the boxer's situation was not unique and underscored the country's history of executing sports champions for their convictions, such as a national team leader, skipper of the national football team, and a volleyball captain, skipper of the female volleyball side. In two thousand twenty, Navid Afkari, a 27-year-old national wrestling champion, was put to death.

Other signatories to the statement include a sailing champion, who led the pioneering women's squad in a international sailing event and was the pioneering lady to be awarded a renowned sailing award; the previous leader of the soccer side an athlete; and Bahram Mavaddat, who was in the Iranian squad for the global tournament.

Apprehension and Unfair Trial

Vafaei Sani was taken into custody in the spring of 2020. The charges against him entailed “promoting decay on Earth through fire-setting and ruin of government belongings”. His sentence has been annulled twice but on October 4 it was upheld on the third occasion. His court case was criticized as “deeply biased” by human rights activists and organizations.

Appeal to International Body

The appeal to halt the athlete's capital punishment is subsequent to a 2023 appeal to the UN high commissioner for freedoms, signed by over 100 advocates and entities, demanding action to stop the athlete’s execution.

Capital Punishment Escalation

Based on data, there is an “capital punishment escalation in the nation, which has reached horrific proportions”. In 2023, officials put to death at least eight hundred fifty-three people – a nearly half increase on 2022. Last year, records showed nearly a thousand capital punishments, representing the peak figure since the year 2015. More than hundreds of people have been put to death so far in the current year.

Activists and opponents are victims, especially in the aftermath of the 2022 protests. Experts say the regime have used the capital punishment to stifle dissent, instil fear among the population and strengthen their hold on rule.