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More than 20 Olympic champions, mentors and other global sports figures have endorsed a statement urging a end to the capital punishment of a champion boxer and coach, who is facing execution in the nation.

Growing Worldwide Condemnation

Amidst rising international outrage over the country's increasing application of the death penalty as a instrument of suppression, the forcefully phrased letter censures the Iranian regime's verdict to maintain the capital punishment of the boxing champion.

The athlete, thirty, from the city in the northern province, was detained for taking part in countrywide demonstrations in two thousand nineteen and indicted of aiding an opposition group. He has passed 60 months in detention, where he has been mistreated and confined in solitary confinement.

“Athletics is designed to inspire optimism, unity, and courage,” the signatories expressed. “The capital punishment of a winner for his political views is a blatant attack on these principles and a warning to every athlete who dares to voice opinions.

History of Killing Athletes

The statement said that the athlete's case was part of a pattern and highlighted the country's past of sentencing to death competitors for their beliefs, such as a national team leader, captain of the national football team, and a volleyball captain, skipper of the national women’s volleyball team. In 2020, a wrestling champion, a young Iranian wrestling champion, was put to death.

Other signatories to the appeal comprise a sailing champion, who skippered the inaugural all-female crew in a global yacht race and was the pioneering lady to be awarded a esteemed yachting trophy; the previous captain of the soccer side an athlete; and a footballer, who was in the country's selection for the international competition.

Apprehension and Flawed Legal Process

The boxer was detained in March 2020. The allegations against him comprised “causing deterioration on Earth through fire-setting and damage of state assets”. His verdict has been reversed multiple times but on 4 October it was upheld on the latest review. His trial was criticized as “deeply biased” by human rights activists and organizations.

Appeal to UN

The call to halt the boxer's capital punishment follows a previous statement to the UN high commissioner for freedoms, backed by in excess of 100 human rights experts and organizations, urging action to stop the competitor's capital punishment.

Execution Crisis

Based on data, there is an “death penalty surge in the country, which has achieved horrific levels”. In the year 2023, officials executed at least over 850 people – a nearly half increase on 2022. The year before, records showed nine hundred seventy-two deaths, constituting the highest number since the year 2015. Over hundreds of people have been sentenced so far in 2025.

Political prisoners and dissidents are victims, notably in the wake of the 2022's demonstrations. Analysts say the government have used the death penalty to stifle dissent, generate anxiety among the citizenry and strengthen their grip on power.