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More than twenty Olympic medallists, trainers and other international athletes have signed a letter calling for a stop to the death penalty of a boxing titleholder and trainer, who is facing execution in the nation.

Growing International Outrage

During increasing international outrage over Iran’s increasing application of executions as a means of suppression, the strongly worded appeal condemns the government's decision to maintain the capital punishment of the boxing champion.

The athlete, 30, from the city in the northern province, was taken into custody for taking part in nationwide protests in the year 2019 and charged of supporting an dissident organization. He has spent 60 months in prison, where he has been mistreated and kept in isolation.

“Competition is meant to promote faith, solidarity, and bravery,” the supporters stated. “The execution of a titleholder for his opinions is a direct assault on these values and a warning to all sportspeople who ventures to speak out.

Record of Killing Competitors

The letter noted that Vafaei Sani’s situation was part of a pattern and highlighted the nation's record of putting to death athletes for their convictions, such as a national team leader, skipper of the national football team, and Fourouzan Abdi, leader of the female volleyball side. In two thousand twenty, an athlete, a 27-year-old Iranian sports titleholder, was put to death.

Other signatories to the appeal comprise Tracy Edwards, who led the inaugural women's squad in a round-the-world competition and was the initial female to be awarded a esteemed nautical honor; the previous captain of the national squad a sports advocate; and Bahram Mavaddat, who was in the Iranian squad for the global tournament.

Detention and Unjust Proceedings

The athlete was taken into custody in early 2020. The charges against him comprised “causing deterioration on Earth through incendiarism and ruin of state assets”. His ruling has been overturned twice but on the fourth of October it was confirmed on the latest review. His legal proceedings was denounced as “highly unjust” by human rights activists and organizations.

Call to UN

The appeal to prevent the athlete's capital punishment is subsequent to a 2023 letter to the global human rights chief for human rights, signed by in excess of one hundred rights specialists and groups, demanding intervention to prevent the athlete’s execution.

Death Penalty Surge

Based on reports, there is an “death penalty surge in the nation, which has reached alarming dimensions”. In 2023, the government put to death at least over 850 people – a forty-eight percent surge on 2022. Last year, records showed nine hundred seventy-two deaths, constituting the maximum count since two thousand fifteen. In excess of 800 people have been put to death so far in 2025.

Activists and protesters are victims, particularly in the aftermath of the the year 2022 protests. Analysts say the regime have utilized the executions to quell opposition, generate apprehension among the population and reinforce their grip on authority.