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More than twenty Olympic medallists, coaches and other global sports figures have endorsed a statement urging a halt to the capital punishment of a boxing champion and coach, who is sentenced to die in the nation.

Escalating International Outrage

Amidst increasing global condemnation over Iran’s increasing application of executions as a tool of suppression, the strongly worded appeal censures the Iranian regime's decision to confirm the execution order of the athlete.

The athlete, three decades old, from the city in the northern province, was arrested for participating in nationwide protests in 2019 and charged of aiding an resistance movement. He has endured 60 months in prison, where he has been mistreated and held in isolation.

“Competition is designed to promote optimism, togetherness, and bravery,” the supporters wrote. “The capital punishment of a champion for his opinions is a direct assault on these values and a warning to any competitor who dares to voice opinions.

History of Executing Athletes

The appeal noted that the boxer's case was part of a pattern and highlighted the country's history of executing sports champions for their views, for example Habib Khabiri, skipper of the football side, and a volleyball captain, skipper of the women's volleyball squad. In the year 2020, a wrestling champion, a 27-year-old national sports titleholder, was put to death.

Further signatories to the letter include a sailing champion, who skippered the inaugural all-female crew in a round-the-world competition and was the pioneering lady to receive a renowned sailing award; the previous skipper of the Australian football team Craig Foster; and a footballer, who was in the national team for the 1978 World Cup.

Arrest and Flawed Legal Process

Vafaei Sani was taken into custody in the spring of 2020. The charges against him included “causing deterioration on Earth through fire-setting and destruction of government belongings”. His verdict has been annulled twice but on October 4 it was confirmed on the third occasion. His court case was condemned as “highly unjust” by human rights activists and organizations.

Appeal to International Body

The urging to prevent the boxer's death sentence comes after a earlier letter to the UN high commissioner for rights, backed by more than a hundred advocates and entities, demanding intervention to prevent the athlete’s capital punishment.

Capital Punishment Escalation

As per findings, there is an “death penalty surge in the nation, which has reached shocking levels”. In two thousand twenty-three, officials executed at least 853 people – a forty-eight percent surge on the previous year. In the prior period, statistics showed 972 executions, marking the maximum count since two thousand fifteen. Over 800 people have been executed so far in 2025.

Activists and opponents are victims, especially in the wake of the 2022 protests. Analysts say the government have employed the death penalty to suppress protest, instil apprehension among the public and tighten their grip on power.