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More than twenty Olympic champions, trainers and other world-class competitors have put their names to a letter calling for a end to the death penalty of a boxing titleholder and instructor, who is on death row in the nation.

Escalating International Outrage

During increasing international outrage over Iran’s escalating use of executions as a tool of suppression, the strongly worded statement censures the authorities's verdict to confirm the execution order of Mohammad Javad Vafaei Sani.

The boxer, thirty, from the city in the northeastern region, was detained for being involved in countrywide demonstrations in 2019 and indicted of backing an dissident organization. He has endured 60 months in prison, where he has been tortured and kept in solitary confinement.

“Sport is intended to promote faith, solidarity, and bravery,” the signatories wrote. “The death penalty of a titleholder for his opinions is a direct assault on these values and a caution to all sportspeople who dares to express dissent.

Pattern of Killing Athletes

The statement said that the boxer's circumstances was part of a pattern and underscored Iran’s record of executing competitors for their convictions, such as a national team leader, skipper of the national football team, and a women's sports leader, skipper of the female volleyball side. In two thousand twenty, Navid Afkari, a young Iranian sports titleholder, was put to death.

Further supporters to the appeal comprise a yachting pioneer, who skippered the inaugural female-only team in a global yacht race and was the pioneering lady to receive a renowned sailing award; the ex- leader of the soccer side Craig Foster; and Bahram Mavaddat, who was in the Iranian squad for the 1978 World Cup.

Arrest and Unjust Proceedings

The boxer was arrested in March 2020. The charges against him entailed “spreading corruption on Earth through fire-setting and damage of public property”. His sentence has been annulled on two occasions but on October 4 it was upheld on the third occasion. His trial was criticized as “deeply biased” by rights defenders and groups.

Urging to International Body

The call to stop the athlete's death sentence follows a previous statement to the UN high commissioner for human rights, backed by more than a hundred advocates and organizations, urging intervention to prevent the athlete’s execution.

Capital Punishment Escalation

Based on reports, there is an “execution crisis in the nation, which has achieved shocking levels”. In 2023, officials executed at least 853 people – a nearly half rise on 2022. The year before, records showed 972 deaths, representing the highest number since 2015. More than hundreds of people have been put to death so far in the current year.

Political prisoners and protesters are victims, especially in the aftermath of the the year 2022 uprising. Experts say the Iranian authorities have used the capital punishment to stifle dissent, instil apprehension among the public and reinforce their grip on authority.