"Sport is meant to inspire hope, unity, and courage, the signatories wrote. The execution of a champion for his political views is a direct assault on these values and a warning to every athlete who dares to speak out. We call on the United Nations, international sports federations and governments to act immediately to save the life of Mohammad Javad. The world must not stand by while Iran silences its champions."
"Amid growing international outrage over Iran's escalating use of capital punishment as a tool of oppression, the strongly worded letter condemns the Iranian regime's decision to uphold the death sentence of Mohammad Javad Vafaei Sani. Vafaei Sani, 30, from Mashhad in north-east Iran, was arrested for taking part in nationwide protests in 2019 and accused of supporting an opposition group, the People's Mojahedin Organisation of Iran (MEK). He has spent five years in prison, where he has been tortured and kept in solitary confinement."
More than 20 Olympic medallists, coaches and international athletes, including Martina Navratilova and Sharron Davies, have demanded a halt to the execution of Mohammad Javad Vafaei Sani. Vafaei Sani was arrested for participating in nationwide protests in 2019 and accused of supporting the People's Mojahedin Organisation of Iran (MEK). He has spent five years in prison, during which he has been tortured and held in solitary confinement. The athletes argue that executing a champion for political views undermines sport's values of hope, unity and courage. They urge the United Nations, sports federations and governments to act immediately to save his life.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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