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More than twenty Olympic medallists, trainers and further global sports figures have signed a statement demanding a end to the death penalty of a champion boxer and coach, who is facing execution in Iran.

Escalating International Outrage

Amidst growing worldwide anger over the nation's expanding employment of the death penalty as a tool of repression, the strongly worded appeal denounces the Iranian regime's ruling to maintain the capital punishment of the athlete.

Vafaei Sani, three decades old, from Mashhad in north-east Iran, was arrested for taking part in countrywide demonstrations in two thousand nineteen and charged of supporting an resistance movement. He has passed five years in incarceration, where he has been tortured and confined in isolation.

“Competition is designed to inspire faith, unity, and bravery,” the endorsers stated. “The execution of a titleholder for his political views is a clear violation on these principles and a caution to all sportspeople who ventures to voice opinions.

Pattern of Executing Athletes

The statement said that Vafaei Sani’s situation was not an isolated one and highlighted Iran’s history of putting to death athletes for their convictions, such as a national team leader, skipper of the soccer squad, and a women's sports leader, skipper of the female volleyball side. In two thousand twenty, a wrestling champion, a 27-year-old Iranian competitor, was put to death.

Further endorsers to the statement comprise Tracy Edwards, who skippered the first all-female crew in a global yacht race and was the pioneering lady to be awarded a renowned nautical honor; the ex- skipper of the soccer side an athlete; and a footballer, who was in the country's selection for the international competition.

Apprehension and Unfair Trial

Vafaei Sani was taken into custody in the spring of 2020. The charges against him entailed “spreading corruption on Earth through fire-setting and destruction of public property”. His ruling has been annulled on two occasions but on October 4 it was confirmed on the latest review. His legal proceedings was condemned as “deeply biased” by human rights activists and groups.

Urging to United Nations

The appeal to halt Vafaei Sani’s death sentence follows a previous statement to the United Nations official for human rights, backed by over a hundred advocates and entities, demanding intervention to stop the sports figure's death.

Death Penalty Surge

Based on findings, there is an “death penalty surge in the nation, which has reached horrific levels”. In two thousand twenty-three, officials sentenced at least 853 people – a 48% rise on the previous year. In the prior period, data showed 972 deaths, marking the highest number since 2015. More than hundreds of people have been executed so far in 2025.

Political prisoners and protesters are focus, notably in the aftermath of the 2022's uprising. Analysts say the Iranian authorities have utilized the death penalty to stifle protest, generate fear among the population and strengthen their control on power.