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More than 20 Olympic medallists, coaches and other international athletes have endorsed a statement urging a end to the execution of a boxing titleholder and instructor, who is sentenced to die in Iran.

Increasing International Outrage

Amid increasing global condemnation over Iran’s escalating use of executions as a instrument of oppression, the strongly worded letter denounces the government's ruling to maintain the capital punishment of the athlete.

The athlete, 30, from Mashhad in the northern province, was taken into custody for participating in countrywide demonstrations in the year 2019 and accused of supporting an opposition group. He has passed half a decade in incarceration, where he has been mistreated and kept in seclusion.

“Athletics is meant to promote hope, unity, and bravery,” the supporters wrote. “The death penalty of a winner for his beliefs is a clear violation on these principles and a caution to all sportspeople who ventures to speak out.

History of Executing Sports Figures

The appeal noted that the athlete's situation was not an isolated one and underscored Iran’s record of executing sports champions for their views, such as Habib Khabiri, skipper of the football side, and Fourouzan Abdi, captain of the women's volleyball squad. In 2020, a wrestling champion, a 27-year national competitor, was also executed.

Other endorsers to the appeal consist of Tracy Edwards, who led the first female-only team in a international sailing event and was the pioneering lady to earn a prestigious nautical honor; the former skipper of the soccer side an athlete; and a sports figure, who was in the country's selection for the international competition.

Arrest and Unjust Proceedings

Vafaei Sani was detained in March 2020. The charges against him entailed “spreading corruption on Earth through arson and ruin of state assets”. His ruling has been overturned twice but on October 4 it was confirmed on the latest review. His trial was criticized as “grossly unfair” by advocates and bodies.

Urging to United Nations

The urging to prevent Vafaei Sani’s death sentence is subsequent to a 2023 letter to the global human rights chief for rights, endorsed by over 100 rights specialists and groups, urging measures to avert the competitor's capital punishment.

Capital Punishment Escalation

According to data, there is an “execution crisis in the nation, which has achieved horrific dimensions”. In two thousand twenty-three, the government sentenced at least over 850 people – a nearly half increase on the previous year. Last year, data showed nine hundred seventy-two deaths, constituting the peak figure since two thousand fifteen. More than 800 people have been put to death so far in 2025.

Dissidents and opponents are targets, notably in the wake of the 2022's demonstrations. Experts say the government have employed the capital punishment to suppress opposition, generate fear among the population and strengthen their grip on authority.