🔗 Share this article Sports Champions Appeal on Iran to Prevent Death Sentence of Boxing Champion Over 20 Olympic champions, trainers and other global sports figures have signed a letter urging a end to the capital punishment of a boxing champion and trainer, who is sentenced to die in Iran. Growing Global Anger Amidst increasing global condemnation over the nation's escalating use of the death penalty as a tool of repression, the strongly worded letter censures the Iranian regime's verdict to confirm the capital punishment of the boxing champion. The boxer, 30, from Mashhad in north-east Iran, was arrested for taking part in countrywide demonstrations in 2019 and accused of backing an dissident organization. He has spent half a decade in detention, where he has been abused and kept in isolation. “Sport is designed to inspire hope, solidarity, and fortitude,” the signatories stated. “The death penalty of a winner for his opinions is a clear violation on these principles and a admonition to any competitor who attempts to speak out. History of Killing Competitors The appeal pointed out that Vafaei Sani’s situation was not unique and highlighted Iran’s history of putting to death competitors for their convictions, for example a national team leader, captain of the soccer squad, and Fourouzan Abdi, skipper of the female volleyball side. In two thousand twenty, Navid Afkari, a 27-year-old Iranian competitor, faced the death penalty. Other supporters to the appeal include a sailing champion, who skippered the first all-female crew in a global yacht race and was the pioneering lady to be awarded a renowned yachting trophy; the ex- leader of the national squad an athlete; and a sports figure, who was in the national team for the 1978 World Cup. Arrest and Unjust Proceedings The boxer was taken into custody in early 2020. The charges against him comprised “causing deterioration on Earth through fire-setting and damage of public property”. His verdict has been reversed multiple times but on 4 October it was confirmed on the third attempt. His court case was condemned as “deeply biased” by advocates and organizations. Call to International Body The call to halt the boxer's capital punishment follows a earlier statement to the global human rights chief for human rights, backed by more than a hundred human rights experts and organizations, demanding action to prevent the sports figure's capital punishment. Execution Crisis As per findings, there is an “capital punishment escalation in the country, which has achieved shocking levels”. In 2023, officials executed at least eight hundred fifty-three people – a nearly half rise on the previous year. Last year, statistics showed 972 deaths, marking the peak figure since 2015. In excess of eight hundred people have been put to death so far in the current year. Activists and dissidents are victims, particularly in the wake of the 2022's demonstrations. Experts say the regime have used the death penalty to stifle protest, instil anxiety among the citizenry and tighten their grip on authority.