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Over two dozen Olympic medallists, trainers and other world-class competitors have endorsed a appeal calling for a halt to the capital punishment of a boxing titleholder and instructor, who is on death row in the nation.

Increasing Global Anger

Amid growing worldwide anger over the nation's expanding employment of the death penalty as a means of repression, the strongly worded letter censures the authorities's ruling to maintain the capital punishment of the athlete.

The athlete, three decades old, from the city in the northeastern region, was taken into custody for taking part in national uprisings in the year 2019 and charged of supporting an resistance movement. He has endured five years in detention, where he has been abused and confined in seclusion.

“Competition is meant to promote optimism, solidarity, and bravery,” the signatories wrote. “The capital punishment of a titleholder for his political views is a direct assault on these ideals and a caution to every athlete who attempts to speak out.

Record of Executing Athletes

The appeal said that the athlete's circumstances was not unique and underscored the country's history of executing 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 the year 2020, Navid Afkari, a 27-year Iranian competitor, was also executed.

Other signatories to the appeal include Tracy Edwards, who led the first all-female crew in a global yacht race and was the pioneering lady to be awarded a renowned sailing award; the former skipper of the Australian football team an athlete; and a sports figure, who was in the national team for the 1978 World Cup.

Arrest and Unfair Trial

The boxer was detained in the spring of 2020. The allegations against him included “causing deterioration on Earth through incendiarism and ruin of public property”. His ruling has been overturned on two occasions but on 4 October it was confirmed on the latest review. His trial was condemned as “highly unjust” by rights defenders and organizations.

Call to UN

The appeal to stop the boxer's death sentence comes after a 2023 appeal to the United Nations official for rights, backed by more than 100 advocates and entities, calling for measures to stop the competitor's capital punishment.

Death Penalty Surge

According to reports, there is an “execution crisis in the nation, which has reached shocking proportions”. In two thousand twenty-three, the government sentenced at least 853 people – a 48% rise on 2022. Last year, data showed nine hundred seventy-two capital punishments, constituting the peak figure since 2015. More than 800 people have been executed so far in 2025.

Activists and opponents are focus, particularly in the aftermath of the 2022 uprising. Experts say the government have used the capital punishment to stifle protest, create apprehension among the citizenry and tighten their hold on authority.