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More than 20 Olympic medallists, trainers and other international athletes have endorsed a appeal urging a halt to the execution of a boxing titleholder and instructor, who is facing execution in Iran.

Escalating Global Anger

During rising worldwide anger over Iran’s expanding employment of capital punishment as a tool of suppression, the strongly worded appeal condemns the government's ruling to uphold the execution order of Mohammad Javad Vafaei Sani.

Vafaei Sani, thirty, from the city in north-east Iran, was detained for taking part in nationwide protests in two thousand nineteen and accused of aiding an dissident organization. He has endured half a decade in prison, where he has been tortured and confined in isolation.

“Sport is designed to inspire hope, togetherness, and bravery,” the supporters wrote. “The death penalty of a titleholder for his political views is a clear violation on these ideals and a warning to any competitor who attempts to speak out.

Pattern of Executing Competitors

The statement noted that the athlete's circumstances was not unique and emphasized the nation's record of putting to death sports champions for their views, including a football captain, skipper of the national football team, and Fourouzan Abdi, leader of the female volleyball side. In the year 2020, a wrestling champion, a 27-year-old Iranian wrestling champion, faced the death penalty.

Additional supporters to the statement comprise a yachting pioneer, who skippered the pioneering all-female crew in a round-the-world competition and was the pioneering lady to receive a renowned sailing award; the ex- skipper of the national squad an athlete; and Bahram Mavaddat, who was in the country's selection for the global tournament.

Apprehension and Unfair Trial

Vafaei Sani was taken into custody in early 2020. The allegations against him entailed “causing deterioration on Earth through arson and damage of state assets”. His sentence has been reversed on two occasions but on the fourth of October it was upheld on the third occasion. His legal proceedings was condemned as “grossly unfair” by human rights activists and organizations.

Call to International Body

The call to stop Vafaei Sani’s execution follows a previous letter to the UN high commissioner for human rights, signed by in excess of 100 rights specialists and groups, urging action to avert the athlete’s death.

Death Penalty Surge

Based on reports, there is an “capital punishment escalation in Iran, which has achieved horrific dimensions”. In 2023, authorities executed at least over 850 people – a 48% increase on 2022. In the prior period, records showed 972 executions, constituting the maximum count since the year 2015. More than hundreds of people have been put to death so far in the current year.

Dissidents and protesters are focus, particularly in the aftermath of the 2022 protests. Analysts say the government have utilized the death penalty to quell opposition, generate anxiety among the citizenry and reinforce their hold on rule.