Elite Athletes Call on Iran to Halt Death Sentence of Boxing Star

More than 20 Olympic medallists, mentors and further global sports figures have endorsed a statement calling for a halt to the capital punishment of a boxing champion and trainer, who is on death row in Iran.

Increasing International Outrage

Amid growing global condemnation over Iran’s escalating use of executions as a instrument of suppression, the forcefully phrased appeal condemns the authorities's ruling to maintain the capital punishment of the athlete.

The boxer, 30, from Mashhad in the northern province, was detained for participating in nationwide protests in the year 2019 and indicted of backing an dissident organization. He has endured 60 months in prison, where he has been tortured and confined in isolation.

“Athletics is designed to inspire faith, unity, and courage,” the supporters wrote. “The execution of a titleholder for his opinions is a direct assault on these ideals and a caution to all sportspeople who ventures to speak out.

History of Putting to Death Athletes

The letter pointed out that the boxer's circumstances was not unique and highlighted the country's history of putting to death athletes for their beliefs, such as a national team leader, skipper of the football side, and a volleyball captain, captain of the women's volleyball squad. In two thousand twenty, Navid Afkari, a 27-year Iranian competitor, was also executed.

Other signatories to the letter comprise Tracy Edwards, who led the pioneering female-only team in a round-the-world competition and was the initial female to be awarded a prestigious sailing award; the former leader of the national squad a sports advocate; and Bahram Mavaddat, who was in the Iranian squad for the international competition.

Detention and Unjust Proceedings

The boxer was taken into custody in early 2020. The charges against him entailed “promoting decay on Earth through fire-setting and ruin of public property”. His verdict has been overturned on two occasions but on October 4 it was maintained on the latest review. His court case was condemned as “grossly unfair” by advocates and bodies.

Urging to United Nations

The urging to halt the boxer's capital punishment comes after a previous statement to the United Nations official for human rights, endorsed by more than one hundred advocates and groups, calling for measures to avert the athlete’s capital punishment.

Capital Punishment Escalation

According to reports, there is an “capital punishment escalation in Iran, which has achieved shocking levels”. In 2023, the government sentenced at least 853 people – a 48% rise on the previous year. In the prior period, data showed nearly a thousand capital punishments, marking the peak figure since two thousand fifteen. More than eight hundred people have been put to death so far in the current year.

Activists and opponents are targets, particularly in the wake of the 2022 protests. Analysts say the government have used the executions to quell opposition, instil anxiety among the public and tighten their grip on power.