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Over two dozen Olympic medallists, trainers and other global sports figures have put their names to a letter urging a halt to the death penalty of a boxing titleholder and trainer, who is facing execution in Iran.

Escalating International Outrage

Amidst growing worldwide anger over the country's escalating use of capital punishment as a means of repression, the powerfully expressed appeal censures the Iranian regime's verdict to confirm the death sentence of the boxing champion.

The athlete, 30, from Mashhad in the northern province, was detained for participating in countrywide demonstrations in the year 2019 and charged of supporting an resistance movement. He has endured 60 months in detention, where he has been tortured and confined in isolation.

“Athletics is intended to promote optimism, togetherness, and courage,” the endorsers wrote. “The execution of a titleholder for his political views is a blatant attack on these ideals and a warning to every athlete who ventures to express dissent.

Record of Putting to Death Athletes

The letter noted that the boxer's situation was not unique and underscored the country's record of sentencing to death competitors for their convictions, such as a football captain, skipper of the football side, and Fourouzan Abdi, captain of the female volleyball side. In the year 2020, a wrestling champion, a young Iranian wrestling champion, was also executed.

Additional supporters to the letter include Tracy Edwards, who led the pioneering all-female crew in a international sailing event and was the pioneering lady to be awarded a esteemed yachting trophy; the former skipper of the national squad Craig Foster; and a footballer, who was in the country's selection for the 1978 World Cup.

Detention and Unjust Proceedings

The athlete was taken into custody in March 2020. The accusations against him entailed “causing deterioration on Earth through fire-setting and damage of state assets”. His ruling has been annulled on two occasions but on the fourth of October it was maintained on the latest review. His court case was denounced as “deeply biased” by rights defenders and organizations.

Appeal to International Body

The call to prevent the athlete's execution comes after a 2023 appeal to the United Nations official for human rights, backed by in excess of one hundred human rights experts and groups, urging measures to stop the athlete’s death.

Death Penalty Surge

As per reports, there is an “execution crisis in Iran, which has achieved alarming levels”. In 2023, officials executed at least 853 people – a nearly half rise on the previous year. In the prior period, data showed 972 capital punishments, constituting the peak figure since two thousand fifteen. More than eight hundred people have been executed so far in 2025.

Activists and opponents are focus, especially in the wake of the the year 2022 protests. Analysts say the regime have utilized the executions to suppress protest, generate anxiety among the citizenry and reinforce their grip on rule.