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Over two dozen Olympic champions, coaches and further world-class competitors have put their names to a letter urging a halt to the capital punishment of a champion boxer and trainer, who is on death row in the nation.

Escalating International Outrage

Amidst growing worldwide anger over the country's expanding employment of executions as a instrument of suppression, the forcefully phrased statement denounces the Iranian regime's verdict to maintain the capital punishment of Mohammad Javad Vafaei Sani.

The athlete, 30, from Mashhad in the northeastern region, was taken into custody for taking part in nationwide protests in two thousand nineteen and accused of aiding an dissident organization. He has spent half a decade in detention, where he has been tortured and held in isolation.

“Athletics is meant to promote faith, togetherness, and courage,” the supporters expressed. “The death penalty of a winner for his opinions is a clear violation on these ideals and a admonition to all sportspeople who ventures to speak out.

Pattern of Executing Competitors

The letter pointed out that the athlete's case was not unique and highlighted Iran’s history of executing sports champions for their views, for example a football captain, leader of the national football team, and Fourouzan Abdi, leader of the female volleyball side. In two thousand twenty, an athlete, a 27-year national competitor, was also executed.

Additional supporters to the letter comprise a sailing champion, who skippered the inaugural women's squad in a international sailing event and was the initial female to earn a prestigious yachting trophy; the ex- captain of the Australian football team a sports advocate; and Bahram Mavaddat, who was in the national team for the global tournament.

Arrest and Unjust Proceedings

The boxer was taken into custody in early 2020. The allegations against him comprised “spreading corruption on Earth through arson and damage of state assets”. His sentence has been annulled twice but on 4 October it was upheld on the latest review. His legal proceedings was condemned as “grossly unfair” by advocates and groups.

Call to United Nations

The appeal to prevent the athlete's death sentence follows a 2023 letter to the UN high commissioner for freedoms, endorsed by in excess of a hundred rights specialists and organizations, urging action to prevent the competitor's death.

Execution Crisis

According to reports, there is an “execution crisis in the nation, which has attained shocking proportions”. In 2023, the government executed at least eight hundred fifty-three people – a nearly half increase on the previous year. In the prior period, records showed 972 deaths, constituting the highest number since 2015. More than eight hundred people have been put to death so far in 2025.

Dissidents and opponents are focus, notably in the aftermath of the 2022's protests. Experts say the government have employed the capital punishment to quell opposition, create fear among the population and tighten their hold on power.