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More than 20 Olympic medal winners, trainers and other world-class competitors have endorsed a letter demanding a end to the capital punishment of a champion boxer and instructor, who is sentenced to die in Iran.

Escalating International Outrage

Amidst increasing international outrage over the country's escalating use of executions as a instrument of repression, the powerfully expressed letter condemns the Iranian regime's decision to maintain the death sentence of the athlete.

Vafaei Sani, 30, from the city in the northeastern region, was arrested for taking part in countrywide demonstrations in two thousand nineteen and indicted of supporting an opposition group. He has spent half a decade in prison, where he has been tortured and held in seclusion.

“Sport is intended to encourage hope, togetherness, and bravery,” the supporters expressed. “The death penalty of a winner for his political views is a clear violation on these principles and a caution to any competitor who attempts to express dissent.

Record of Killing Competitors

The letter noted that the boxer's situation was part of a pattern and highlighted Iran’s past of putting to death competitors for their convictions, such as Habib Khabiri, skipper of the soccer squad, and a volleyball captain, skipper of the national women’s volleyball team. In 2020, a wrestling champion, a young national sports titleholder, faced the death penalty.

Other endorsers to the statement comprise Tracy Edwards, who skippered the pioneering women's squad in a global yacht race and was the first woman to be awarded a prestigious sailing award; the previous leader of the national squad Craig Foster; and a sports figure, who was in the country's selection for the global tournament.

Apprehension and Unjust Proceedings

The boxer was arrested in early 2020. The accusations against him included “promoting decay on Earth through incendiarism and destruction of government belongings”. His sentence has been reversed on two occasions but on the fourth of October it was maintained on the third attempt. His trial was condemned as “deeply biased” by advocates and organizations.

Call to International Body

The appeal to halt Vafaei Sani’s death sentence is subsequent to a previous appeal to the global human rights chief for rights, signed by over a hundred rights specialists and organizations, calling for intervention to stop the competitor's death.

Execution Crisis

Based on reports, there is an “execution crisis in Iran, which has attained horrific proportions”. In 2023, authorities executed at least over 850 people – a nearly half surge on 2022. Last year, records showed 972 capital punishments, constituting the maximum count since 2015. Over eight hundred people have been executed so far in 2025.

Activists and dissidents are victims, especially in the aftermath of the the year 2022 protests. Analysts say the Iranian authorities have used the capital punishment to suppress protest, generate apprehension among the public and strengthen their grip on rule.