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More than twenty Olympic medallists, coaches and other world-class competitors have put their names to a letter calling for a end to the death penalty of a boxing titleholder and trainer, who is facing execution in Iran.

Increasing International Outrage

Amid increasing worldwide anger over Iran’s expanding employment of capital punishment as a tool of repression, the forcefully phrased statement denounces the Iranian regime's ruling to maintain the execution order of Mohammad Javad Vafaei Sani.

Vafaei Sani, three decades old, from the city in north-east Iran, was arrested for taking part in national uprisings in the year 2019 and charged of supporting an opposition group. He has passed half a decade in detention, where he has been tortured and confined in isolation.

“Athletics is designed to encourage hope, solidarity, and bravery,” the endorsers stated. “The death penalty of a titleholder for his political views is a clear violation on these ideals and a caution to all sportspeople who dares to express dissent.

Pattern of Putting to Death Athletes

The letter noted that the boxer's situation was not unique and emphasized Iran’s record of sentencing to death competitors for their convictions, such as a football captain, captain of the football side, and Fourouzan Abdi, leader of the women's volleyball squad. In 2020, Navid Afkari, a 27-year-old national competitor, was also executed.

Other supporters to the statement include a sailing champion, who led the inaugural all-female crew in a international sailing event and was the first woman to earn a prestigious sailing award; the former leader of the Australian football team a sports advocate; and a footballer, who was in the country's selection for the global tournament.

Apprehension and Unjust Proceedings

The boxer was detained in early 2020. The allegations against him comprised “promoting decay on Earth through arson and ruin of state assets”. His ruling has been annulled twice but on October 4 it was maintained on the latest review. His court case was denounced as “grossly unfair” by rights defenders and bodies.

Call to International Body

The urging to prevent the athlete's capital punishment follows a previous letter to the UN high commissioner for human rights, endorsed by over one hundred rights specialists and entities, demanding intervention to prevent the competitor's execution.

Capital Punishment Escalation

According to data, there is an “death penalty surge in the nation, which has achieved horrific proportions”. In the year 2023, officials sentenced at least 853 people – a nearly half surge on 2022. Last year, statistics showed nine hundred seventy-two capital punishments, constituting the highest number since the year 2015. Over eight hundred people have been put to death so far in 2025.

Dissidents and dissidents are victims, notably in the wake of the 2022 protests. Experts say the regime have used the executions to quell dissent, generate anxiety among the citizenry and tighten their hold on power.