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In excess of 20 Olympic medallists, mentors and other world-class competitors have put their names to a statement demanding a stop to the execution of a boxing champion and instructor, who is facing execution in Iran.

Increasing International Outrage

Amidst growing global condemnation over the nation's escalating use of the death penalty as a instrument of oppression, the forcefully phrased appeal denounces the Iranian regime's decision to confirm the capital punishment of the athlete.

Vafaei Sani, three decades old, from Mashhad in the northern province, was arrested for participating in nationwide protests in two thousand nineteen and charged of supporting an dissident organization. He has endured five years in prison, where he has been mistreated and held in seclusion.

“Athletics is designed to inspire faith, solidarity, and bravery,” the endorsers expressed. “The execution of a champion for his political views is a blatant attack on these values and a admonition to every athlete who ventures to speak out.

History of Putting to Death Sports Figures

The letter pointed out that the boxer's case was not unique and underscored Iran’s past of sentencing to death competitors for their beliefs, for example a national team leader, leader of the soccer squad, and a volleyball captain, leader of the female volleyball side. In the year 2020, a wrestling champion, a young Iranian competitor, was also executed.

Additional supporters to the letter include a yachting pioneer, who skippered the inaugural women's squad in a round-the-world competition and was the initial female to receive a renowned sailing award; the ex- captain of the soccer side an athlete; and a footballer, who was in the Iranian squad for the global tournament.

Arrest and Unjust Proceedings

The boxer was detained in the spring of 2020. The charges against him included “promoting decay on Earth through incendiarism and destruction of government belongings”. His ruling has been reversed twice but on 4 October it was upheld on the latest review. His court case was criticized as “deeply biased” by rights defenders and groups.

Call to International Body

The appeal to halt Vafaei Sani’s execution comes after a previous letter to the global human rights chief for freedoms, signed by in excess of one hundred rights specialists and groups, demanding action to prevent the competitor's death.

Death Penalty Surge

Based on reports, there is an “execution crisis in Iran, which has achieved horrific dimensions”. In the year 2023, the government sentenced at least over 850 people – a forty-eight percent increase on 2022. In the prior period, data showed nearly a thousand executions, constituting the highest number since 2015. Over eight hundred people have been sentenced so far in 2025.

Activists and dissidents are targets, especially in the aftermath of the the year 2022 demonstrations. Analysts say the Iranian authorities have employed the capital punishment to suppress dissent, generate anxiety among the public and strengthen their control on power.