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More than two dozen Olympic champions, coaches and further global sports figures have endorsed a letter demanding a end to the death penalty of a boxing titleholder and coach, who is on death row in the country.

Escalating International Outrage

Amid increasing worldwide anger over Iran’s escalating use of the death penalty as a means of suppression, the strongly worded letter condemns the government's decision to maintain the execution order of Mohammad Javad Vafaei Sani.

Vafaei Sani, three decades old, from the city in north-east Iran, was arrested for being involved in countrywide demonstrations in two thousand nineteen and indicted of supporting an resistance movement. He has endured five years in prison, where he has been mistreated and kept in isolation.

“Athletics is intended to encourage hope, unity, and courage,” the supporters stated. “The capital punishment of a winner for his beliefs is a direct assault on these ideals and a caution to any competitor who attempts to speak out.

History of Killing Sports Figures

The letter said that Vafaei Sani’s circumstances was not unique and underscored Iran’s history of executing sports champions for their views, for example a football captain, captain of the national football team, and a women's sports leader, skipper of the female volleyball side. In 2020, an athlete, a 27-year-old Iranian competitor, was put to death.

Further supporters to the appeal comprise a yachting pioneer, who led the pioneering all-female crew in a international sailing event and was the first woman to receive a esteemed yachting trophy; the former captain of the soccer side Craig Foster; and Bahram Mavaddat, who was in the Iranian squad for the 1978 World Cup.

Arrest and Unfair Trial

The boxer was arrested in early 2020. The allegations against him comprised “causing deterioration on Earth through fire-setting and ruin of state assets”. His ruling has been annulled multiple times but on October 4 it was maintained on the latest review. His court case was denounced as “grossly unfair” by human rights activists and groups.

Call to International Body

The urging to prevent the boxer's execution is subsequent to a earlier statement to the global human rights chief for freedoms, signed by in excess of one hundred rights specialists and groups, calling for action to prevent the sports figure's death.

Death Penalty Surge

According to data, there is an “death penalty surge in the nation, which has attained alarming proportions”. In the year 2023, the government sentenced at least 853 people – a 48% rise on 2022. In the prior period, records showed 972 capital punishments, marking the peak figure since two thousand fifteen. Over 800 people have been executed so far in 2025.

Political prisoners and dissidents are victims, especially in the aftermath of the 2022's demonstrations. Experts say the government have utilized the capital punishment to stifle opposition, create apprehension among the citizenry and tighten their hold on authority.