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Over two dozen Olympic medallists, mentors and additional global sports figures have signed a letter demanding a stop to the death penalty of a boxing champion and trainer, who is on death row in Iran.

Increasing International Outrage

Amidst rising worldwide anger over the nation's escalating use of capital punishment as a means of oppression, the forcefully phrased letter denounces the authorities's verdict to confirm the capital punishment of the boxing champion.

Vafaei Sani, 30, from the city in the northern province, was arrested for taking part in nationwide protests in the year 2019 and indicted of supporting an resistance movement. He has endured five years in prison, where he has been tortured and held in solitary confinement.

“Sport is intended to inspire hope, togetherness, and fortitude,” the endorsers wrote. “The execution of a winner for his opinions is a direct assault on these principles and a warning to all sportspeople who ventures to speak out.

Record of Executing Competitors

The letter noted that Vafaei Sani’s situation was not unique and highlighted the nation's history of sentencing to death athletes for their beliefs, for example Habib Khabiri, captain of the soccer squad, and a women's sports leader, captain of the national women’s volleyball team. In 2020, an athlete, a 27-year Iranian sports titleholder, was put to death.

Further supporters to the letter include a sailing champion, who skippered the first all-female crew in a global yacht race and was the pioneering lady to be awarded a esteemed nautical honor; the previous skipper of the soccer side Craig Foster; and a sports figure, who was in the Iranian squad for the international competition.

Arrest and Flawed Legal Process

The boxer was detained in the spring of 2020. The allegations against him comprised “causing deterioration on Earth through incendiarism and destruction of government belongings”. His ruling has been reversed multiple times but on October 4 it was confirmed on the third attempt. His court case was criticized as “grossly unfair” by human rights activists and organizations.

Urging to United Nations

The urging to prevent the athlete's capital punishment follows a 2023 statement to the global human rights chief for human rights, endorsed by in excess of 100 human rights experts and organizations, calling for intervention to avert the athlete’s execution.

Execution Crisis

According to data, there is an “death penalty surge in the nation, which has attained shocking levels”. In two thousand twenty-three, the government executed at least 853 people – a 48% rise on 2022. Last year, data showed nearly a thousand deaths, constituting the peak figure since 2015. In excess of hundreds of people have been put to death so far in 2025.

Dissidents and opponents are targets, especially in the aftermath of the 2022's demonstrations. Analysts say the government have used the executions to quell dissent, generate fear among the citizenry and tighten their grip on rule.