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More than twenty Olympic medal winners, coaches and additional global sports figures have put their names to a appeal demanding a halt to the capital punishment of a boxing champion and instructor, who is on death row in the country.

Increasing Worldwide Condemnation

During rising international outrage over the country's escalating use of capital punishment as a means of suppression, the strongly worded appeal denounces the Iranian regime's verdict to maintain the death sentence of Mohammad Javad Vafaei Sani.

Vafaei Sani, three decades old, from Mashhad in the northern province, was arrested for being involved in national uprisings in two thousand nineteen and charged of backing an dissident organization. He has passed five years in detention, where he has been tortured and held in isolation.

“Competition is designed to encourage faith, solidarity, and bravery,” the supporters wrote. “The capital punishment of a titleholder for his beliefs is a blatant attack on these principles and a admonition to every athlete who dares to speak out.

Pattern of Executing Sports Figures

The letter noted that the athlete's circumstances was not unique and highlighted the country's record of putting to death sports champions for their beliefs, such as a national team leader, captain of the national football team, and a volleyball captain, captain of the female volleyball side. In 2020, an athlete, a young Iranian competitor, was also executed.

Other supporters to the appeal include a sailing champion, who captained the first all-female crew in a global yacht race and was the pioneering lady to be awarded a esteemed sailing award; the ex- skipper of the soccer side an athlete; and a sports figure, who was in the Iranian squad for the global tournament.

Arrest and Flawed Legal Process

Vafaei Sani was arrested in March 2020. The allegations against him entailed “promoting decay on Earth through fire-setting and damage of state assets”. His ruling has been annulled on two occasions but on the fourth of October it was confirmed on the latest review. His legal proceedings was denounced as “highly unjust” by rights defenders and organizations.

Urging to International Body

The urging to halt the boxer's death sentence follows a previous statement to the global human rights chief for human rights, endorsed by more than one hundred human rights experts and entities, urging action to stop the competitor's capital punishment.

Death Penalty Surge

Based on data, there is an “execution crisis in the nation, which has reached horrific levels”. In 2023, the government put to death at least over 850 people – a 48% surge on 2022. Last year, data showed 972 deaths, representing the maximum count since the year 2015. More than 800 people have been sentenced so far in the current year.

Political prisoners and opponents are victims, especially in the wake of the the year 2022 protests. Specialists say the government have utilized the capital punishment to suppress dissent, generate fear among the population and tighten their hold on rule.