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In excess of 20 Olympic champions, mentors and additional world-class competitors have signed a statement urging a halt to the execution of a champion boxer and trainer, who is on death row in the country.

Escalating Worldwide Condemnation

Amid growing worldwide anger over the nation's expanding employment of capital punishment as a tool of suppression, the strongly worded letter denounces the Iranian regime's decision to maintain the death sentence of the athlete.

The boxer, three decades old, from Mashhad in north-east Iran, was detained for participating in national uprisings in the year 2019 and accused of backing an dissident organization. He has spent 60 months in prison, where he has been tortured and kept in solitary confinement.

“Athletics is meant to encourage optimism, unity, and fortitude,” the signatories expressed. “The capital punishment of a titleholder for his political views is a clear violation on these principles and a admonition to any competitor who ventures to speak out.

History of Putting to Death Athletes

The statement noted that the boxer's case was part of a pattern and underscored Iran’s record of sentencing to death sports champions for their convictions, including Habib Khabiri, captain of the soccer squad, and Fourouzan Abdi, skipper of the female volleyball side. In 2020, a wrestling champion, a 27-year national wrestling champion, was put to death.

Further supporters to the appeal include a yachting pioneer, who skippered the inaugural all-female crew in a international sailing event and was the first woman to be awarded a esteemed nautical honor; the former leader of the soccer side a sports advocate; and a footballer, who was in the country's selection for the international competition.

Apprehension and Unjust Proceedings

The athlete was taken into custody in early 2020. The allegations against him comprised “causing deterioration on Earth through incendiarism and destruction of state assets”. His verdict has been overturned multiple times but on October 4 it was confirmed on the third attempt. His legal proceedings was condemned as “deeply biased” by rights defenders and organizations.

Urging to International Body

The appeal to prevent the athlete's death sentence is subsequent to a previous letter to the global human rights chief for rights, endorsed by more than a hundred advocates and groups, calling for intervention to stop the athlete’s execution.

Execution Crisis

Based on findings, there is an “execution crisis in the nation, which has attained alarming proportions”. In the year 2023, the government executed at least eight hundred fifty-three people – a 48% increase on the previous year. The year before, statistics showed nearly a thousand deaths, representing the peak figure since two thousand fifteen. In excess of hundreds of people have been put to death so far in 2025.

Dissidents and protesters are targets, especially in the wake of the 2022 protests. Experts say the government have utilized the executions to quell opposition, create anxiety among the public and reinforce their grip on authority.