🔗 Share this article Olympians Call on Iranian Authorities to Stop Death Sentence of Champion Boxer More than two dozen Olympic medallists, mentors and other world-class competitors have endorsed a letter calling for a halt to the execution of a boxing champion and coach, who is on death row in the nation. Escalating Global Anger Amid increasing international outrage over the nation's increasing application of executions as a tool of oppression, the powerfully expressed appeal condemns the Iranian regime's verdict to maintain the execution order of the athlete. Vafaei Sani, thirty, from the city in the northeastern region, was detained for participating in national uprisings in two thousand nineteen and indicted of aiding an resistance movement. He has endured half a decade in detention, where he has been abused and confined in solitary confinement. “Athletics is intended to encourage faith, unity, and courage,” the endorsers stated. “The execution of a titleholder for his beliefs is a clear violation on these ideals and a warning to any competitor who dares to voice opinions. Pattern of Executing Sports Figures The statement noted that Vafaei Sani’s case was not an isolated one and emphasized Iran’s past of sentencing to death sports champions for their beliefs, such as a national team leader, skipper of the football side, and Fourouzan Abdi, captain of the female volleyball side. In the year 2020, an athlete, a young national wrestling champion, faced the death penalty. Further endorsers to the statement include a yachting pioneer, who skippered the first women's squad in a round-the-world competition and was the initial female to be awarded a renowned nautical honor; the ex- skipper of the soccer side Craig Foster; and a sports figure, who was in the national team for the international competition. Apprehension and Unjust Proceedings The boxer was arrested in the spring of 2020. The allegations against him comprised “promoting decay on Earth through fire-setting and destruction of public property”. His ruling has been annulled twice but on October 4 it was upheld on the third occasion. His court case was condemned as “highly unjust” by rights defenders and bodies. Urging to United Nations The call to halt Vafaei Sani’s execution is subsequent to a 2023 letter to the UN high commissioner for freedoms, signed by more than 100 advocates and entities, demanding action to prevent the athlete’s execution. Death Penalty Surge Based on reports, there is an “death penalty surge in Iran, which has reached alarming proportions”. In two thousand twenty-three, officials put to death at least 853 people – a 48% increase on 2022. Last year, statistics showed nine hundred seventy-two executions, constituting the maximum count since the year 2015. In excess of hundreds of people have been executed so far in the current year. Dissidents and opponents are targets, especially in the aftermath of the 2022 protests. Analysts say the regime have employed the death penalty to stifle opposition, instil fear among the citizenry and strengthen their hold on authority.