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More than two dozen Olympic medallists, coaches and other global sports figures have endorsed a letter calling for a stop to the death penalty of a boxing champion and trainer, who is on death row in the nation.

Growing Worldwide Condemnation

During rising global condemnation over the country's increasing application of executions as a means of suppression, the strongly worded letter condemns the Iranian regime's ruling to confirm the death sentence of the athlete.

The athlete, thirty, from the city in the northern province, was detained for being involved in nationwide protests in the year 2019 and charged of backing an opposition group. He has passed 60 months in incarceration, where he has been abused and kept in seclusion.

“Athletics is designed to promote faith, solidarity, and bravery,” the endorsers wrote. “The death penalty of a winner for his opinions is a direct assault on these ideals and a warning to any competitor who dares to express dissent.

History of Executing Athletes

The appeal pointed out that the boxer's circumstances was not unique and emphasized the country's history of sentencing to death sports champions for their views, such as a football captain, captain of the soccer squad, and a women's sports leader, leader of the national women’s volleyball team. In the year 2020, an athlete, a 27-year Iranian wrestling champion, was put to death.

Other signatories to the appeal include a sailing champion, who led the inaugural female-only team in a international sailing event and was the first woman to earn a renowned nautical honor; the previous skipper of the soccer side a sports advocate; and a sports figure, who was in the country's selection for the international competition.

Arrest and Unjust Proceedings

The boxer was arrested in the spring of 2020. The charges against him entailed “causing deterioration on Earth through arson and damage of public property”. His verdict has been annulled on two occasions but on 4 October it was confirmed on the third occasion. His trial was criticized as “deeply biased” by rights defenders and organizations.

Urging to UN

The urging to prevent the boxer's capital punishment is subsequent to a 2023 letter to the United Nations official for rights, endorsed by over a hundred advocates and groups, calling for measures to prevent the competitor's death.

Execution Crisis

As per reports, there is an “execution crisis in the country, which has attained shocking levels”. In 2023, officials sentenced at least over 850 people – a nearly half surge on 2022. Last year, statistics showed 972 executions, constituting the highest number since the year 2015. Over 800 people have been put to death so far in 2025.

Political prisoners and dissidents are victims, particularly in the aftermath of the 2022 uprising. Experts say the regime have employed the capital punishment to suppress protest, create apprehension among the population and strengthen their grip on power.