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In excess of 20 Olympic champions, mentors and additional world-class competitors have put their names to a letter urging a end to the capital punishment of a boxing champion and coach, who is facing execution in Iran.

Growing International Outrage

Amidst growing global condemnation over the country's increasing application of capital punishment as a instrument of repression, the strongly worded letter censures the Iranian regime's decision to uphold the execution order of the boxing champion.

The boxer, 30, from the city in the northern province, was detained for taking part in national uprisings in the year 2019 and accused of backing an dissident organization. He has spent half a decade in prison, where he has been abused and kept in seclusion.

“Competition is designed to inspire optimism, solidarity, and bravery,” the signatories expressed. “The capital punishment of a titleholder for his opinions is a clear violation on these values and a caution to every athlete who attempts to voice opinions.

Pattern of Killing Athletes

The letter pointed out that the athlete's circumstances was not an isolated one and underscored the country's record of putting to death sports champions for their views, such as a national team leader, captain of the soccer squad, and a volleyball captain, skipper of the national women’s volleyball team. In the year 2020, Navid Afkari, a 27-year-old national competitor, was also executed.

Additional signatories to the letter include a yachting pioneer, who led the inaugural female-only team in a round-the-world competition and was the initial female to earn a renowned nautical honor; the former captain of the Australian football team an athlete; and Bahram Mavaddat, who was in the national team for the international competition.

Arrest and Unjust Proceedings

The boxer was arrested in the spring of 2020. The allegations against him entailed “spreading corruption on Earth through incendiarism and ruin of public property”. His verdict has been reversed on two occasions but on 4 October it was confirmed on the third occasion. His trial was condemned as “grossly unfair” by advocates and groups.

Urging to United Nations

The call to stop the athlete's death sentence comes after a earlier appeal to the United Nations official for human rights, signed by over 100 human rights experts and groups, urging action to stop the competitor's death.

Execution Crisis

Based on reports, there is an “capital punishment escalation in Iran, which has achieved alarming levels”. In two thousand twenty-three, officials executed at least eight hundred fifty-three people – a nearly half rise on 2022. The year before, data showed nine hundred seventy-two deaths, marking the highest number since 2015. Over 800 people have been put to death so far in the current year.

Political prisoners and protesters are focus, particularly in the aftermath of the the year 2022 demonstrations. Experts say the government have used the executions to stifle protest, create anxiety among the population and tighten their grip on power.