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In excess of 20 Olympic medal winners, trainers and other world-class competitors have put their names to a letter demanding a stop to the execution of a boxing champion and trainer, who is sentenced to die in the nation.

Increasing Global Anger

Amidst growing global condemnation over Iran’s increasing application of the death penalty as a means of repression, the strongly worded statement denounces the Iranian regime's verdict to confirm the execution order of the boxing champion.

Vafaei Sani, three decades old, from the city in the northeastern region, was taken into custody for being involved in nationwide protests in two thousand nineteen and accused of supporting an dissident organization. He has endured 60 months in incarceration, where he has been mistreated and held in solitary confinement.

“Sport is meant to promote optimism, solidarity, and fortitude,” the supporters stated. “The death penalty of a winner for his opinions is a blatant attack on these principles and a admonition to any competitor who dares to voice opinions.

History of Putting to Death Competitors

The appeal pointed out that the boxer's case was not unique and underscored the country's past of executing athletes for their beliefs, for example Habib Khabiri, captain of the football side, and a women's sports leader, skipper of the women's volleyball squad. In 2020, an athlete, a young national wrestling champion, was put to death.

Other supporters to the statement consist of a sailing champion, who captained the inaugural female-only team in a global yacht race and was the initial female to receive a esteemed nautical honor; the ex- skipper of the soccer side a sports advocate; and a footballer, who was in the country's selection for the 1978 World Cup.

Detention and Unfair Trial

The athlete was detained in the spring of 2020. The accusations against him comprised “causing deterioration on Earth through fire-setting and ruin of government belongings”. His verdict has been overturned on two occasions but on 4 October it was confirmed on the third attempt. His trial was criticized as “deeply biased” by rights defenders and bodies.

Appeal to UN

The appeal to halt Vafaei Sani’s execution comes after a previous appeal to the UN high commissioner for human rights, signed by in excess of 100 advocates and groups, urging intervention to avert the sports figure's capital punishment.

Death Penalty Surge

Based on reports, there is an “death penalty surge in Iran, which has achieved horrific proportions”. In two thousand twenty-three, the government put to death at least 853 people – a 48% increase on 2022. In the prior period, data showed 972 executions, representing the peak figure since the year 2015. More than 800 people have been put to death so far in the current year.

Dissidents and opponents are focus, particularly in the wake of the 2022 protests. Specialists say the regime have employed the death penalty to quell dissent, generate apprehension among the public and tighten their hold on power.