Elite Athletes Urge on Iranian Authorities to Stop Execution of Boxing Star

Over 20 Olympic medal winners, trainers and additional global sports figures have put their names to a statement calling for a end to the capital punishment of a boxing champion and coach, who is on death row in the nation.

Escalating Global Anger

Amid rising international outrage over the country's increasing application of capital punishment as a instrument of repression, the powerfully expressed letter censures the authorities's ruling to uphold the death sentence of the boxing champion.

The boxer, thirty, from the city in the northeastern region, was detained for participating in nationwide protests in the year 2019 and indicted of aiding an opposition group. He has spent half a decade in detention, where he has been abused and confined in isolation.

“Competition is meant to promote optimism, unity, and fortitude,” the supporters stated. “The execution of a champion for his political views is a clear violation on these ideals and a caution to every athlete who ventures to voice opinions.

Pattern of Killing Athletes

The letter pointed out that the boxer's circumstances was part of a pattern and highlighted the country's record of putting to death sports champions for their views, for example Habib Khabiri, leader of the national football team, and a women's sports leader, captain of the women's volleyball squad. In 2020, an athlete, a 27-year Iranian wrestling champion, was also executed.

Other supporters to the statement comprise Tracy Edwards, who skippered the inaugural women's squad in a international sailing event and was the pioneering lady to receive a renowned sailing award; the former captain of the Australian football team Craig Foster; and a sports figure, who was in the Iranian squad for the global tournament.

Detention and Unfair Trial

The athlete was taken into custody in March 2020. The allegations against him included “spreading corruption on Earth through incendiarism and destruction of public property”. His sentence has been reversed on two occasions but on the fourth of October it was upheld on the latest review. His legal proceedings was condemned as “highly unjust” by rights defenders and bodies.

Call to International Body

The call to prevent the athlete's death sentence follows a previous letter to the United Nations official for freedoms, backed by more than a hundred human rights experts and organizations, calling for intervention to stop the athlete’s death.

Death Penalty Surge

Based on reports, there is an “death penalty surge in Iran, which has achieved alarming levels”. In the year 2023, officials executed at least over 850 people – a forty-eight percent surge on 2022. The year before, records showed 972 deaths, constituting the maximum count since 2015. In excess of hundreds of people have been sentenced so far in the current year.

Activists and protesters are victims, particularly in the wake of the 2022's protests. Specialists say the Iranian authorities have used the capital punishment to suppress protest, instil apprehension among the public and reinforce their hold on power.