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More than 20 Olympic medal winners, coaches and other global sports figures have endorsed a statement demanding a halt to the execution of a boxing champion and coach, who is facing execution in the nation.

Growing International Outrage

Amid growing worldwide anger over the country's escalating use of the death penalty as a tool of oppression, the forcefully phrased letter condemns the government's verdict to confirm the death sentence of the boxing champion.

The boxer, three decades old, from Mashhad in the northeastern region, was arrested for participating in nationwide protests in two thousand nineteen and accused of backing an resistance movement. He has spent five years in prison, where he has been tortured and kept in seclusion.

“Athletics is meant to encourage optimism, unity, and bravery,” the endorsers stated. “The execution of a champion for his political views is a clear violation on these ideals and a warning to all sportspeople who dares to express dissent.

Pattern of Executing Sports Figures

The letter noted that the athlete's situation was not an isolated one and highlighted the nation's past of sentencing to death competitors for their convictions, such as a football captain, skipper of the football side, and a women's sports leader, skipper of the national women’s volleyball team. In 2020, an athlete, a 27-year Iranian sports titleholder, was also executed.

Other endorsers to the appeal consist of Tracy Edwards, who led the inaugural female-only team in a global yacht race and was the pioneering lady to receive a renowned yachting trophy; the ex- captain of the national squad Craig Foster; and Bahram Mavaddat, who was in the Iranian squad for the 1978 World Cup.

Arrest and Unjust Proceedings

The athlete was detained in March 2020. The accusations against him entailed “causing deterioration on Earth through arson and destruction of state assets”. His sentence has been reversed on two occasions but on October 4 it was maintained on the third occasion. His trial was criticized as “deeply biased” by human rights activists and organizations.

Appeal to United Nations

The appeal to halt the athlete's death sentence is subsequent to a 2023 appeal to the UN high commissioner for human rights, backed by in excess of a hundred rights specialists and organizations, demanding intervention to stop the competitor's execution.

Execution Crisis

According to reports, there is an “capital punishment escalation in the nation, which has attained shocking dimensions”. In two thousand twenty-three, the government put to death at least over 850 people – a 48% increase on 2022. Last year, data showed 972 capital punishments, constituting the highest number since the year 2015. More than hundreds of people have been put to death so far in the current year.

Political prisoners and opponents are focus, especially in the aftermath of the 2022's demonstrations. Specialists say the Iranian authorities have utilized the death penalty to quell protest, generate fear among the citizenry and strengthen their hold on authority.