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Over twenty Olympic medallists, coaches and other world-class competitors have endorsed a statement calling for a halt to the capital punishment of a boxing champion and coach, who is facing execution in the nation.

Growing International Outrage

During increasing worldwide anger over Iran’s escalating use of the death penalty as a tool of oppression, the powerfully expressed letter condemns the Iranian regime's decision to confirm the death sentence of the athlete.

Vafaei Sani, thirty, from Mashhad in the northern province, was taken into custody for being involved in national uprisings in two thousand nineteen and accused of supporting an dissident organization. He has endured half a decade in incarceration, where he has been mistreated and held in seclusion.

“Sport is designed to encourage optimism, solidarity, and fortitude,” the endorsers stated. “The capital punishment of a winner for his political views is a blatant attack on these ideals and a admonition to every athlete who dares to speak out.

Record of Putting to Death Sports Figures

The appeal pointed out that Vafaei Sani’s case was part of a pattern and underscored the country's history of executing athletes for their convictions, including Habib Khabiri, captain of the national football team, and a women's sports leader, captain of the female volleyball side. In the year 2020, an athlete, a young national competitor, was put to death.

Other supporters to the statement consist of a sailing champion, who skippered the first all-female crew in a international sailing event and was the initial female to earn a esteemed sailing award; the ex- leader of the national squad an athlete; and Bahram Mavaddat, who was in the Iranian squad for the international competition.

Apprehension and Flawed Legal Process

Vafaei Sani was arrested in early 2020. The accusations against him comprised “causing deterioration on Earth through fire-setting and destruction of government belongings”. His ruling has been annulled on two occasions but on 4 October it was maintained on the third attempt. His legal proceedings was condemned as “deeply biased” by advocates and organizations.

Urging to UN

The call to prevent Vafaei Sani’s execution comes after a previous letter to the United Nations official for human rights, backed by more than 100 human rights experts and entities, urging action to stop the sports figure's capital punishment.

Capital Punishment Escalation

Based on findings, there is an “execution crisis in Iran, which has reached shocking proportions”. In two thousand twenty-three, authorities sentenced at least eight hundred fifty-three people – a 48% increase on the previous year. In the prior period, records showed nine hundred seventy-two deaths, marking the maximum count since the year 2015. In excess of 800 people have been sentenced so far in 2025.

Activists and dissidents are focus, especially in the aftermath of the the year 2022 demonstrations. Experts say the Iranian authorities have used the capital punishment to stifle dissent, instil apprehension among the citizenry and tighten their hold on rule.