🔗 Share this article

In excess of two dozen Olympic champions, coaches and other global sports figures have endorsed a letter calling for a end to the capital punishment of a boxing titleholder and instructor, who is sentenced to die in the country.

Escalating International Outrage

Amid increasing global condemnation over the country's escalating use of executions as a instrument of suppression, the powerfully expressed appeal censures the Iranian regime's ruling to confirm the capital punishment of the athlete.

The boxer, 30, from the city in the northern province, was detained for being involved in nationwide protests in the year 2019 and accused of supporting an dissident organization. He has endured half a decade in incarceration, where he has been mistreated and kept in solitary confinement.

“Sport is designed to inspire faith, solidarity, and fortitude,” the endorsers wrote. “The capital punishment of a winner for his beliefs is a direct assault on these ideals and a warning to every athlete who ventures to express dissent.

Record of Putting to Death Sports Figures

The statement said that Vafaei Sani’s case was not an isolated one and emphasized Iran’s past of sentencing to death sports champions for their convictions, including a football captain, skipper of the national football team, and a volleyball captain, leader of the women's volleyball squad. In the year 2020, a wrestling champion, a 27-year Iranian wrestling champion, faced the death penalty.

Further endorsers to the letter comprise Tracy Edwards, who captained the pioneering female-only team in a global yacht race and was the initial female to earn a esteemed yachting trophy; the former leader of the soccer side Craig Foster; and a sports figure, who was in the national team for the global tournament.

Apprehension and Unjust Proceedings

The athlete was arrested in early 2020. The charges against him entailed “causing deterioration on Earth through fire-setting and destruction of government belongings”. His verdict has been overturned twice but on October 4 it was maintained on the third attempt. His court case was condemned as “deeply biased” by advocates and bodies.

Call to International Body

The appeal to prevent the boxer's execution is subsequent to a previous letter to the global human rights chief for rights, backed by over 100 rights specialists and organizations, demanding intervention to prevent the athlete’s execution.

Capital Punishment Escalation

According to reports, there is an “death penalty surge in the nation, which has attained alarming levels”. In 2023, officials executed at least over 850 people – a nearly half rise on the previous year. The year before, records showed nine hundred seventy-two executions, representing the maximum count since two thousand fifteen. Over 800 people have been put to death so far in 2025.

Dissidents and dissidents are focus, notably in the wake of the 2022 demonstrations. Specialists say the regime have employed the executions to quell opposition, create apprehension among the public and reinforce their grip on power.