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More than twenty Olympic champions, mentors and other global sports figures have endorsed a statement calling for a end to the death penalty of a champion boxer and instructor, who is sentenced to die in the nation.

Increasing Global Anger

Amid growing international outrage over Iran’s escalating use of capital punishment as a instrument of oppression, the forcefully phrased appeal censures the Iranian regime's decision to uphold the death sentence of the athlete.

The boxer, 30, from Mashhad in the northern province, was taken into custody for being involved in countrywide demonstrations in 2019 and charged of supporting an resistance movement. He has endured half a decade in prison, where he has been abused and kept in isolation.

“Athletics is intended to inspire hope, togetherness, and courage,” the endorsers stated. “The death penalty of a titleholder for his political views is a direct assault on these values and a warning to every athlete who attempts to express dissent.

History of Executing Sports Figures

The letter said that the boxer's circumstances was not unique and highlighted the nation's record of putting to death competitors for their beliefs, for example a national team leader, leader of the national football team, and a volleyball captain, leader of the women's volleyball squad. In the year 2020, a wrestling champion, a young national sports titleholder, was also executed.

Other signatories to the appeal comprise a sailing champion, who captained the pioneering women's squad in a round-the-world competition and was the first woman to receive a renowned yachting trophy; the previous captain of the national squad an athlete; and Bahram Mavaddat, who was in the Iranian squad for the 1978 World Cup.

Detention and Flawed Legal Process

Vafaei Sani was arrested in March 2020. The allegations against him included “spreading corruption on Earth through incendiarism and destruction of government belongings”. His ruling has been overturned twice but on October 4 it was maintained on the third attempt. His trial was condemned as “grossly unfair” by human rights activists and organizations.

Appeal to United Nations

The call to prevent the boxer's capital punishment follows a earlier letter to the UN high commissioner for rights, signed by in excess of one hundred rights specialists and organizations, urging intervention to prevent the athlete’s execution.

Capital Punishment Escalation

According to reports, there is an “capital punishment escalation in the country, which has attained alarming dimensions”. In two thousand twenty-three, authorities put to death at least over 850 people – a nearly half surge on 2022. In the prior period, statistics showed nearly a thousand deaths, marking the highest number since 2015. Over 800 people have been put to death so far in the current year.

Activists and opponents are victims, especially in the aftermath of the the year 2022 demonstrations. Analysts say the regime have used the capital punishment to stifle protest, create anxiety among the citizenry and strengthen their control on rule.