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In excess of 20 Olympic medallists, mentors and further world-class competitors have endorsed a statement urging a end to the execution of a boxing champion and coach, who is facing execution in the nation.

Escalating International Outrage

Amid growing international outrage over the nation's escalating use of capital punishment as a instrument of oppression, the forcefully phrased letter denounces the government's verdict to uphold the execution order of the boxing champion.

Vafaei Sani, thirty, from the city in north-east Iran, was taken into custody for being involved in nationwide protests in 2019 and accused of backing an dissident organization. He has passed half a decade in detention, where he has been mistreated and kept in seclusion.

“Sport is intended to inspire faith, solidarity, and fortitude,” the signatories wrote. “The execution of a titleholder for his opinions is a clear violation on these ideals and a caution to all sportspeople who attempts to voice opinions.

Record of Killing Sports Figures

The letter noted that Vafaei Sani’s case was part of a pattern and underscored the nation's record of executing athletes for their convictions, such as a football captain, leader of the football side, and a volleyball captain, leader of the women's volleyball squad. In the year 2020, an athlete, a 27-year Iranian wrestling champion, was put to death.

Further endorsers to the appeal comprise a yachting pioneer, who skippered the inaugural female-only team in a international sailing event and was the initial female to earn a renowned yachting trophy; the former captain of the national squad Craig Foster; and a footballer, who was in the country's selection for the international competition.

Detention and Unjust Proceedings

The athlete was arrested in the spring of 2020. The allegations against him included “causing deterioration on Earth through arson and ruin of public property”. His verdict has been overturned on two occasions but on 4 October it was upheld on the latest review. His court case was condemned as “grossly unfair” by rights defenders and bodies.

Appeal to United Nations

The appeal to prevent the athlete's execution follows a earlier letter to the United Nations official for rights, backed by more than 100 rights specialists and entities, calling for action to stop the athlete’s death.

Execution Crisis

According to reports, there is an “execution crisis in the country, which has attained horrific dimensions”. In two thousand twenty-three, officials put to death at least 853 people – a forty-eight percent rise on the previous year. The year before, records showed nearly a thousand capital punishments, representing the highest number since two thousand fifteen. More than hundreds of people have been executed so far in 2025.

Political prisoners and opponents are focus, notably in the aftermath of the the year 2022 demonstrations. Specialists say the Iranian authorities have employed the death penalty to stifle opposition, instil fear among the public and strengthen their hold on authority.