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Over two dozen Olympic medallists, trainers and further global sports figures have put their names to a letter calling for a stop to the execution of a boxing champion and trainer, who is on death row in the nation.

Increasing International Outrage

Amidst growing global condemnation over Iran’s escalating use of the death penalty as a instrument of repression, the forcefully phrased letter denounces the Iranian regime's ruling to uphold the capital punishment of the athlete.

The boxer, three decades old, from the city in the northern province, was detained for taking part in countrywide demonstrations in 2019 and indicted of supporting an opposition group. He has passed half a decade in detention, where he has been tortured and held in isolation.

“Sport is meant to promote hope, solidarity, and bravery,” the signatories wrote. “The capital punishment of a winner for his beliefs is a blatant attack on these principles and a caution to every athlete who dares to voice opinions.

Record of Killing Athletes

The statement said that Vafaei Sani’s situation was not unique and highlighted the nation's past of executing sports champions for their views, such as a football captain, skipper of the football side, and a women's sports leader, skipper of the national women’s volleyball team. In two thousand twenty, an athlete, a young national wrestling champion, faced the death penalty.

Other supporters to the statement comprise a sailing champion, who skippered the first female-only team in a round-the-world competition and was the pioneering lady to receive a esteemed sailing award; the former skipper of the soccer side a sports advocate; and Bahram Mavaddat, who was in the national team for the international competition.

Detention and Unfair Trial

Vafaei Sani was arrested in early 2020. The accusations against him entailed “causing deterioration on Earth through fire-setting and damage of state assets”. His ruling has been reversed on two occasions but on 4 October it was maintained on the third occasion. His trial was denounced as “grossly unfair” by advocates and organizations.

Call to United Nations

The call to prevent the athlete's capital punishment is subsequent to a previous appeal to the UN high commissioner for human rights, endorsed by over a hundred human rights experts and entities, demanding intervention to stop the sports figure's execution.

Execution Crisis

As per reports, there is an “capital punishment escalation in the country, which has reached alarming dimensions”. In two thousand twenty-three, authorities put to death at least eight hundred fifty-three people – a 48% rise on 2022. Last year, data showed nine hundred seventy-two deaths, representing the highest number since the year 2015. In excess of eight hundred people have been put to death so far in 2025.

Political prisoners and opponents are targets, especially in the aftermath of the 2022's demonstrations. Specialists say the government have utilized the capital punishment to suppress opposition, generate fear among the citizenry and reinforce their grip on authority.