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More than twenty Olympic champions, trainers and other world-class competitors have endorsed a statement urging a stop to the capital punishment of a champion boxer and coach, who is facing execution in the nation.

Increasing Worldwide Condemnation

Amidst rising global condemnation over the nation's increasing application of capital punishment as a instrument of suppression, the strongly worded letter condemns the authorities's verdict to maintain the capital punishment of Mohammad Javad Vafaei Sani.

Vafaei Sani, three decades old, from the city in the northern province, was arrested for being involved in countrywide demonstrations in 2019 and indicted of aiding an resistance movement. He has passed five years in detention, where he has been tortured and kept in seclusion.

“Athletics is designed to encourage faith, togetherness, and bravery,” the signatories wrote. “The capital punishment of a titleholder for his political views is a blatant attack on these values and a warning to every athlete who attempts to express dissent.

Record of Killing Sports Figures

The letter noted that the athlete's case was not unique and emphasized Iran’s history of sentencing to death competitors for their beliefs, such as a football captain, skipper of the national football team, and Fourouzan Abdi, captain of the female volleyball side. In two thousand twenty, a wrestling champion, a 27-year national competitor, was put to death.

Further signatories to the letter comprise a sailing champion, who skippered the pioneering all-female crew in a round-the-world competition and was the pioneering lady to be awarded a esteemed nautical honor; the previous captain of the national squad Craig Foster; and a sports figure, who was in the country's selection for the international competition.

Arrest and Unfair Trial

The boxer was arrested in the spring of 2020. The accusations against him entailed “spreading corruption on Earth through arson and ruin of public property”. His verdict has been reversed twice but on the fourth of October it was confirmed on the latest review. His court case was condemned as “deeply biased” by advocates and groups.

Urging to UN

The urging to stop the boxer's capital punishment comes after a 2023 statement to the global human rights chief for freedoms, backed by over one hundred advocates and organizations, demanding action to avert the athlete’s capital punishment.

Death Penalty Surge

Based on findings, there is an “capital punishment escalation in the nation, which has achieved shocking levels”. In 2023, officials put to death at least 853 people – a nearly half rise on 2022. In the prior period, records showed nearly a thousand capital punishments, constituting the highest number since two thousand fifteen. More than 800 people have been sentenced so far in the current year.

Dissidents and protesters are victims, especially in the aftermath of the 2022 uprising. Analysts say the Iranian authorities have employed the death penalty to quell opposition, instil apprehension among the public and tighten their hold on authority.