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In excess of 20 Olympic medallists, coaches and other global sports figures have endorsed a letter urging a halt to the execution of a champion boxer and coach, who is sentenced to die in the country.

Growing International Outrage

Amid growing worldwide anger over Iran’s increasing application of executions as a means of repression, the strongly worded letter censures the government's ruling to maintain the capital punishment of Mohammad Javad Vafaei Sani.

The athlete, three decades old, from Mashhad in north-east Iran, was taken into custody for being involved in nationwide protests in two thousand nineteen and accused of aiding an dissident organization. He has passed half a decade in incarceration, where he has been abused and confined in seclusion.

“Competition is designed to inspire hope, togetherness, and courage,” the signatories wrote. “The capital punishment of a winner for his opinions is a blatant attack on these ideals and a caution to all sportspeople who ventures to speak out.

History of Executing Sports Figures

The appeal noted that Vafaei Sani’s situation was not unique and highlighted the country's past of executing competitors for their views, for example a football captain, leader of the national football team, and Fourouzan Abdi, leader of the national women’s volleyball team. In two thousand twenty, Navid Afkari, a 27-year national wrestling champion, faced the death penalty.

Further supporters to the letter consist of a yachting pioneer, who skippered the first all-female crew in a international sailing event and was the pioneering lady to be awarded a renowned sailing award; the former leader of the soccer side a sports advocate; and a sports figure, who was in the national team for the international competition.

Detention and Unjust Proceedings

Vafaei Sani was arrested in early 2020. The allegations against him comprised “promoting decay on Earth through arson and destruction of state assets”. His sentence has been annulled on two occasions but on October 4 it was upheld on the third attempt. His court case was condemned as “grossly unfair” by human rights activists and organizations.

Appeal to UN

The urging to prevent the boxer's execution is subsequent to a 2023 appeal to the UN high commissioner for human rights, signed by over 100 advocates and organizations, demanding measures to prevent the competitor's death.

Capital Punishment Escalation

According to findings, there is an “death penalty surge in Iran, which has achieved horrific levels”. In two thousand twenty-three, authorities sentenced at least 853 people – a nearly half increase on the previous year. Last year, data showed nine hundred seventy-two deaths, marking the peak figure since the year 2015. More than 800 people have been sentenced so far in 2025.

Dissidents and protesters are focus, especially in the wake of the 2022 protests. Experts say the regime have utilized the executions to quell protest, create anxiety among the population and strengthen their grip on rule.