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Over two dozen Olympic medal winners, mentors and further international athletes have endorsed a appeal demanding a end to the capital punishment of a boxing titleholder and trainer, who is on death row in the country.

Growing Global Anger

During rising international outrage over the nation's escalating use of the death penalty as a means of suppression, the strongly worded appeal denounces the Iranian regime's decision to uphold the death sentence of the boxing champion.

The boxer, 30, from the city in the northeastern region, was detained for being involved in nationwide protests in two thousand nineteen and accused of backing an resistance movement. He has endured half a decade in prison, where he has been abused and confined in isolation.

“Athletics is intended to promote optimism, unity, and bravery,” the signatories stated. “The death penalty of a titleholder for his beliefs is a blatant attack on these ideals and a warning to any competitor who dares to express dissent.

History of Executing Competitors

The letter noted that the athlete's circumstances was part of a pattern and highlighted Iran’s history of executing competitors for their beliefs, for example a national team leader, captain of the football side, and Fourouzan Abdi, skipper of the national women’s volleyball team. In two thousand twenty, an athlete, a 27-year Iranian wrestling champion, was also executed.

Other signatories to the statement comprise a sailing champion, who led the inaugural all-female crew in a international sailing event and was the initial female to earn a esteemed yachting trophy; the former skipper of the soccer side a sports advocate; and a footballer, who was in the Iranian squad for the 1978 World Cup.

Apprehension and Flawed Legal Process

The boxer was taken into custody in the spring of 2020. The accusations against him comprised “promoting decay on Earth through arson and destruction of public property”. His ruling has been overturned on two occasions but on 4 October it was maintained on the third occasion. His trial was condemned as “deeply biased” by advocates and groups.

Urging to UN

The urging to stop Vafaei Sani’s execution follows a previous letter to the global human rights chief for human rights, endorsed by more than a hundred human rights experts and groups, demanding action to stop the athlete’s death.

Execution Crisis

According to reports, there is an “capital punishment escalation in the nation, which has reached shocking levels”. In two thousand twenty-three, the government executed at least over 850 people – a 48% increase on the previous year. Last year, records showed nine hundred seventy-two capital punishments, representing the highest number since the year 2015. In excess of hundreds of people have been executed so far in 2025.

Dissidents and dissidents are targets, notably in the aftermath of the 2022's protests. Experts say the regime have used the executions to quell opposition, generate anxiety among the citizenry and strengthen their control on rule.