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Over 20 Olympic champions, coaches and other world-class competitors have endorsed a appeal demanding a end to the death penalty of a boxing champion and instructor, who is facing execution in the country.

Growing International Outrage

Amid increasing worldwide anger over the nation's increasing application of capital punishment as a means of repression, the powerfully expressed letter condemns the government's ruling to uphold the capital punishment of the athlete.

Vafaei Sani, three decades old, from Mashhad in north-east Iran, was arrested for being involved in countrywide demonstrations in the year 2019 and indicted of backing an opposition group. He has passed five years in prison, where he has been abused and confined in isolation.

“Athletics is intended to encourage faith, solidarity, and bravery,” the supporters expressed. “The execution of a champion for his opinions is a blatant attack on these values and a caution to every athlete who attempts to speak out.

Record of Killing Athletes

The letter said that the boxer's case was not unique and emphasized the country's past of sentencing to death competitors for their beliefs, including Habib Khabiri, skipper of the soccer squad, and Fourouzan Abdi, leader of the female volleyball side. In 2020, Navid Afkari, a 27-year national wrestling champion, was put to death.

Other endorsers to the letter comprise a sailing champion, who captained the first all-female crew in a international sailing event and was the first woman to earn a esteemed sailing award; the ex- skipper of the national squad an athlete; and a sports figure, who was in the country's selection for the global tournament.

Arrest and Unfair Trial

The boxer was taken into custody in early 2020. The charges against him entailed “spreading corruption on Earth through arson and destruction of government belongings”. His verdict has been overturned multiple times but on 4 October it was maintained on the third occasion. His legal proceedings was criticized as “highly unjust” by advocates and groups.

Call to International Body

The appeal to prevent the boxer's capital punishment comes after a 2023 letter to the global human rights chief for rights, endorsed by in excess of 100 advocates and entities, demanding intervention to prevent the sports figure's death.

Execution Crisis

According to data, there is an “capital punishment escalation in the nation, which has attained shocking levels”. In 2023, authorities put to death at least over 850 people – a nearly half increase on the previous year. Last year, data showed 972 capital punishments, constituting the peak figure since the year 2015. More than eight hundred people have been put to death so far in the current year.

Dissidents and dissidents are focus, particularly in the aftermath of the 2022 demonstrations. Experts say the Iranian authorities have used the capital punishment to stifle dissent, generate fear among the citizenry and strengthen their control on power.