🔗 Share this article Olympians Appeal on Iranian Authorities to Prevent Execution of Champion Boxer Over 20 Olympic medallists, coaches and other global sports figures have put their names to a statement calling for a halt to the execution of a boxing champion and coach, who is sentenced to die in the country. Escalating Worldwide Condemnation Amid rising worldwide anger over Iran’s escalating use of executions as a tool of oppression, the strongly worded appeal denounces the authorities's decision to confirm the execution order of the athlete. Vafaei Sani, 30, from the city in the northern province, was detained for taking part in nationwide protests in two thousand nineteen and indicted of supporting an dissident organization. He has endured half a decade in detention, where he has been mistreated and confined in isolation. “Competition is meant to encourage optimism, solidarity, and courage,” the supporters stated. “The capital punishment of a winner for his opinions is a direct assault on these principles and a warning to every athlete who dares to speak out. History of Putting to Death Sports Figures The letter said that the athlete's case was not unique and underscored the nation's history of sentencing to death athletes for their beliefs, for example a football captain, leader of the soccer squad, and Fourouzan Abdi, skipper of the female volleyball side. In two thousand twenty, Navid Afkari, a 27-year national sports titleholder, was also executed. Additional supporters to the statement comprise Tracy Edwards, who led the first all-female crew in a round-the-world competition and was the first woman to earn a renowned yachting trophy; the previous leader of the soccer side a sports advocate; and a sports figure, who was in the national team for the international competition. Apprehension and Flawed Legal Process Vafaei Sani was taken into custody in the spring of 2020. The charges against him entailed “spreading corruption on Earth through arson and ruin of government belongings”. His ruling has been overturned twice but on October 4 it was confirmed on the third occasion. His legal proceedings was denounced as “highly unjust” by rights defenders and bodies. Urging to International Body The appeal to halt the boxer's execution follows a 2023 appeal to the global human rights chief for rights, endorsed by in excess of 100 advocates and organizations, calling for action to stop the athlete’s death. Execution Crisis Based on reports, there is an “death penalty surge in the country, which has attained shocking proportions”. In two thousand twenty-three, officials put to death at least over 850 people – a nearly half rise on 2022. In the prior period, data showed nearly a thousand capital punishments, representing the peak figure since two thousand fifteen. In excess of eight hundred people have been sentenced so far in 2025. Dissidents and protesters are victims, notably in the aftermath of the 2022 demonstrations. Analysts say the regime have utilized the capital punishment to suppress opposition, generate apprehension among the public and reinforce their hold on power.