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Over twenty Olympic medal winners, trainers and additional international athletes have put their names to a statement demanding a stop to the execution of a boxing champion and instructor, who is facing execution in the country.

Increasing Worldwide Condemnation

Amid increasing international outrage over Iran’s escalating use of capital punishment as a instrument of oppression, the strongly worded statement censures the authorities's verdict to maintain the death sentence of Mohammad Javad Vafaei Sani.

The athlete, 30, from the city in the northeastern region, was taken into custody for taking part in national uprisings in two thousand nineteen and indicted of backing an opposition group. He has passed five years in detention, where he has been tortured and held in seclusion.

“Athletics is meant to promote hope, solidarity, and bravery,” the endorsers wrote. “The execution of a champion for his opinions is a clear violation on these ideals and a caution to all sportspeople who attempts to speak out.

History of Putting to Death Sports Figures

The statement noted that the boxer's case was not unique and underscored the nation's record of putting to death sports champions for their beliefs, including Habib Khabiri, skipper of the football side, and a volleyball captain, leader of the women's volleyball squad. In two thousand twenty, Navid Afkari, a young Iranian sports titleholder, was put to death.

Further supporters to the statement consist of a sailing champion, who captained the inaugural female-only team in a round-the-world competition and was the pioneering lady to be awarded a prestigious sailing award; the ex- captain of the soccer side Craig Foster; and a footballer, who was in the country's selection for the 1978 World Cup.

Detention and Unjust Proceedings

Vafaei Sani was arrested in the spring of 2020. The allegations against him comprised “causing deterioration on Earth through arson and ruin of government belongings”. His ruling has been annulled on two occasions but on the fourth of October it was upheld on the third attempt. His legal proceedings was denounced as “deeply biased” by advocates and bodies.

Appeal to United Nations

The call to halt the boxer's death sentence follows a 2023 statement to the global human rights chief for freedoms, signed by more than a hundred rights specialists and organizations, urging measures to stop the competitor's capital punishment.

Execution Crisis

As per findings, there is an “execution crisis in Iran, which has attained alarming levels”. In two thousand twenty-three, the government executed at least eight hundred fifty-three people – a forty-eight percent rise on 2022. The year before, statistics showed 972 executions, representing the highest number since 2015. In excess of 800 people have been put to death so far in 2025.

Dissidents and protesters are focus, particularly in the wake of the the year 2022 protests. Analysts say the regime have utilized the executions to suppress opposition, instil apprehension among the public and strengthen their control on authority.