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Over 20 Olympic champions, trainers and further world-class competitors have put their names to a statement demanding a end to the death penalty of a champion boxer and coach, who is facing execution in the nation.

Increasing Global Anger

Amid growing worldwide anger over Iran’s increasing application of executions as a means of suppression, the powerfully expressed letter denounces the Iranian regime's decision to maintain the capital punishment of the boxing champion.

The boxer, three decades old, from Mashhad in the northeastern region, was detained for taking part in national uprisings in two thousand nineteen and indicted of backing an opposition group. He has spent half a decade in prison, where he has been mistreated and held in seclusion.

“Competition is designed to inspire hope, togetherness, and fortitude,” the signatories expressed. “The execution of a titleholder for his opinions is a direct assault on these values and a admonition to every athlete who dares to voice opinions.

Pattern of Putting to Death Sports Figures

The statement pointed out that the boxer's situation was not unique and underscored the nation's history of putting to death competitors for their convictions, such as a national team leader, skipper of the football side, and a volleyball captain, skipper of the female volleyball side. In the year 2020, Navid Afkari, a 27-year-old Iranian wrestling champion, faced the death penalty.

Additional supporters to the letter consist of Tracy Edwards, who captained the inaugural all-female crew in a global yacht race and was the pioneering lady to receive a prestigious sailing award; the ex- skipper of the national squad a sports advocate; and Bahram Mavaddat, who was in the country's selection for the 1978 World Cup.

Detention and Unfair Trial

Vafaei Sani was taken into custody in early 2020. The accusations against him comprised “causing deterioration on Earth through fire-setting and damage of government belongings”. His verdict has been reversed twice but on 4 October it was confirmed on the third attempt. His legal proceedings was denounced as “highly unjust” by human rights activists and organizations.

Appeal to International Body

The appeal to stop the boxer's capital punishment is subsequent to a earlier letter to the United Nations official for human rights, endorsed by over a hundred rights specialists and groups, calling for action to avert the athlete’s capital punishment.

Capital Punishment Escalation

According to findings, there is an “death penalty surge in the nation, which has attained shocking dimensions”. In the year 2023, authorities sentenced at least over 850 people – a forty-eight percent surge on the previous year. In the prior period, statistics showed nearly a thousand deaths, constituting the peak figure since the year 2015. In excess of hundreds of people have been executed so far in 2025.

Activists and protesters are targets, especially in the aftermath of the 2022's uprising. Specialists say the regime have employed the capital punishment to stifle dissent, instil anxiety among the citizenry and tighten their hold on power.