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More than twenty Olympic champions, coaches and further international athletes have signed a statement calling for a halt to the capital punishment of a boxing titleholder and coach, who is sentenced to die in the nation.

Growing International Outrage

Amidst growing global condemnation over Iran’s increasing application of executions as a means of repression, the powerfully expressed appeal condemns the Iranian regime's ruling to confirm the execution order of the athlete.

Vafaei Sani, 30, from the city in the northeastern region, was taken into custody for being involved in nationwide protests in two thousand nineteen and indicted of aiding an opposition group. He has passed half a decade in detention, where he has been abused and confined in seclusion.

“Competition is meant to inspire hope, solidarity, and bravery,” the endorsers wrote. “The capital punishment of a champion for his political views is a clear violation on these principles and a caution to any competitor who ventures to express dissent.

Pattern of Putting to Death Sports Figures

The letter pointed out that Vafaei Sani’s situation was not unique and underscored Iran’s record of sentencing to death athletes for their beliefs, such as 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 27-year national wrestling champion, was also executed.

Further endorsers to the letter include Tracy Edwards, who skippered the pioneering women's squad in a round-the-world competition and was the pioneering lady to be awarded a prestigious sailing award; the ex- leader of the Australian football team an athlete; and a sports figure, who was in the country's selection for the global tournament.

Apprehension and Flawed Legal Process

The boxer was taken into custody in early 2020. The allegations against him included “spreading corruption on Earth through incendiarism and damage of state assets”. His verdict has been overturned multiple times but on the fourth of October it was confirmed on the third occasion. His trial was condemned as “grossly unfair” by human rights activists and groups.

Appeal to United Nations

The appeal to halt the athlete's death sentence follows a previous appeal to the global human rights chief for human rights, backed by more than 100 human rights experts and entities, calling for intervention to avert the competitor's capital punishment.

Execution Crisis

According to findings, there is an “execution crisis in the nation, which has achieved shocking levels”. In 2023, authorities executed at least 853 people – a 48% increase on the previous year. In the prior period, data showed nearly a thousand capital punishments, representing the maximum count since 2015. More than hundreds of people have been put to death so far in 2025.

Political prisoners and protesters are focus, notably in the aftermath of the the year 2022 uprising. Specialists say the Iranian authorities have utilized the capital punishment to quell opposition, instil fear among the citizenry and reinforce their grip on rule.