🔗 Share this article Elite Athletes Urge on Iranian Authorities to Halt Death Sentence of Boxing Star In excess of twenty Olympic medal winners, trainers and other international athletes have signed a statement urging a end to the capital punishment of a boxing titleholder and trainer, who is facing execution in the nation. Growing Worldwide Condemnation During rising global condemnation over the country's increasing application of capital punishment as a instrument of repression, the strongly worded statement censures the government's decision to confirm the capital punishment of the boxing champion. The boxer, three decades old, from the city in the northeastern region, was detained for participating in countrywide demonstrations in the year 2019 and accused of supporting an opposition group. He has endured 60 months in prison, where he has been tortured and kept in isolation. “Athletics is designed to promote hope, solidarity, and courage,” the supporters stated. “The death penalty of a titleholder for his political views is a blatant attack on these values and a admonition to all sportspeople who ventures to speak out. Record of Killing Athletes The appeal pointed out that the athlete's situation was not unique and emphasized Iran’s record of putting to death competitors for their convictions, such as Habib Khabiri, leader of the national football team, and a women's sports leader, leader of the female volleyball side. In 2020, Navid Afkari, a 27-year Iranian competitor, faced the death penalty. Other supporters to the appeal consist of a sailing champion, who captained the pioneering female-only team in a international sailing event and was the first woman to earn a esteemed yachting trophy; the previous leader of the soccer side Craig Foster; and a footballer, who was in the Iranian squad for the global tournament. Arrest and Unjust Proceedings The athlete was arrested in early 2020. The charges against him included “promoting decay on Earth through fire-setting and destruction of government belongings”. His ruling has been annulled on two occasions but on the fourth of October it was upheld on the third attempt. His trial was criticized as “grossly unfair” by human rights activists and bodies. Urging to International Body The urging to halt the boxer's capital punishment comes after a earlier statement to the United Nations official for freedoms, signed by in excess of a hundred human rights experts and groups, urging action to prevent the competitor's death. Death Penalty Surge As per reports, there is an “execution crisis in the nation, which has attained horrific dimensions”. In 2023, authorities executed at least 853 people – a 48% rise on 2022. In the prior period, records showed nine hundred seventy-two capital punishments, representing the maximum count since 2015. Over hundreds of people have been executed so far in 2025. Political prisoners and opponents are victims, notably in the wake of the the year 2022 protests. Experts say the Iranian authorities have utilized the capital punishment to quell protest, create anxiety among the citizenry and tighten their control on rule.