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Over 20 Olympic medal winners, coaches and further global sports figures have put their names to a statement calling for a end to the death penalty of a boxing champion and coach, who is facing execution in the nation.

Increasing Global Anger

During rising global condemnation over the nation's expanding employment of the death penalty as a tool of repression, the powerfully expressed appeal denounces the Iranian regime's ruling to confirm the death sentence of the boxing champion.

The boxer, three decades old, from Mashhad in north-east Iran, was arrested for participating in national uprisings in the year 2019 and indicted of supporting an resistance movement. He has passed five years in detention, where he has been abused and kept in solitary confinement.

“Competition is meant to encourage faith, solidarity, and fortitude,” the supporters expressed. “The death penalty of a titleholder for his beliefs is a direct assault on these principles and a caution to any competitor who dares to voice opinions.

History of Putting to Death Sports Figures

The appeal said that the athlete's situation was part of a pattern and highlighted the country's history of executing sports champions for their beliefs, for example a national team leader, captain of the football side, and a women's sports leader, leader of the female volleyball side. In the year 2020, Navid Afkari, a young Iranian competitor, was put to death.

Other endorsers to the appeal comprise a yachting pioneer, who skippered the first women's squad in a round-the-world competition and was the pioneering lady to earn a esteemed sailing award; the previous skipper of the national squad an athlete; and Bahram Mavaddat, who was in the national team for the 1978 World Cup.

Apprehension and Unjust Proceedings

The boxer was taken into custody in March 2020. The charges against him included “causing deterioration on Earth through fire-setting and destruction of state assets”. His ruling has been overturned twice but on 4 October it was confirmed on the latest review. His court case was denounced as “grossly unfair” by rights defenders and groups.

Urging to International Body

The appeal to prevent the athlete's capital punishment comes after a previous statement to the UN high commissioner for rights, signed by in excess of one hundred rights specialists and organizations, urging measures to stop the athlete’s capital punishment.

Capital Punishment Escalation

Based on data, there is an “death penalty surge in the nation, which has achieved alarming levels”. In 2023, the government put to death at least 853 people – a 48% increase on the previous year. Last year, statistics showed 972 deaths, marking the peak figure since the year 2015. More than eight hundred people have been sentenced so far in 2025.

Dissidents and protesters are focus, notably in the wake of the 2022 demonstrations. Experts say the Iranian authorities have employed the death penalty to suppress dissent, instil apprehension among the citizenry and tighten their hold on power.