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In excess of 20 Olympic medallists, trainers and additional international athletes have signed a letter demanding a end to the capital punishment of a champion boxer and instructor, who is on death row in the country.

Growing Worldwide Condemnation

Amidst rising international outrage over the country's increasing application of the death penalty as a means of repression, the forcefully phrased letter condemns the Iranian regime's verdict to uphold the capital punishment of the athlete.

The athlete, 30, from Mashhad in the northern province, was arrested for participating in nationwide protests in 2019 and accused of aiding an dissident organization. He has endured five years in incarceration, where he has been abused and held in seclusion.

“Competition is designed to encourage hope, unity, and fortitude,” the supporters expressed. “The death penalty of a titleholder for his beliefs is a direct assault on these principles and a caution to any competitor who dares to voice opinions.

Pattern of Killing Sports Figures

The appeal pointed out that the boxer's circumstances was part of a pattern and emphasized the country's past of putting to death competitors for their beliefs, such as a football captain, skipper of the football side, and a volleyball captain, skipper of the female volleyball side. In two thousand twenty, an athlete, a 27-year-old Iranian wrestling champion, was also executed.

Further signatories to the statement comprise a yachting pioneer, who led the pioneering women's squad in a international sailing event and was the first woman to earn a esteemed nautical honor; the former leader of the soccer side a sports advocate; and a footballer, who was in the Iranian squad for the global tournament.

Arrest and Unfair Trial

The athlete was arrested in early 2020. The charges against him comprised “promoting decay on Earth through incendiarism and damage of public property”. His verdict has been annulled twice but on October 4 it was maintained on the third occasion. His legal proceedings was criticized as “highly unjust” by advocates and organizations.

Urging to UN

The call to prevent the boxer's capital punishment follows a 2023 statement to the UN high commissioner for human rights, backed by in excess of a hundred human rights experts and groups, urging action to stop the sports figure's capital punishment.

Capital Punishment Escalation

As per findings, there is an “execution crisis in the country, which has attained shocking dimensions”. In 2023, the government sentenced at least 853 people – a nearly half increase on 2022. Last year, records showed nine hundred seventy-two deaths, representing the peak figure since the year 2015. Over eight hundred people have been sentenced so far in 2025.

Dissidents and dissidents are targets, notably in the wake of the 2022's demonstrations. Analysts say the government have used the death penalty to stifle dissent, create anxiety among the public and strengthen their hold on power.