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In excess of 20 Olympic medallists, trainers and further global sports figures have signed a letter calling for a stop to the death penalty of a boxing titleholder and trainer, who is facing execution in the country.

Increasing International Outrage

Amid increasing global condemnation over the country's increasing application of executions as a tool of suppression, the powerfully expressed letter denounces the Iranian regime's decision to confirm the death sentence of the boxing champion.

Vafaei Sani, 30, from Mashhad in the northern province, was taken into custody for being involved in countrywide demonstrations in the year 2019 and accused of backing an opposition group. He has spent five years in prison, where he has been mistreated and kept in seclusion.

“Athletics is meant to encourage faith, solidarity, and bravery,” the supporters expressed. “The death penalty of a titleholder for his opinions is a clear violation on these values and a admonition to every athlete who attempts to express dissent.

History of Killing Competitors

The letter noted that the boxer's situation was not an isolated one and highlighted the nation's past of executing sports champions for their convictions, such as Habib Khabiri, leader of the soccer squad, and a volleyball captain, captain of the female volleyball side. In 2020, an athlete, a 27-year national wrestling champion, was also executed.

Other supporters to the letter include a yachting pioneer, who captained the inaugural all-female crew in a international sailing event and was the initial female to receive a renowned nautical honor; the former captain of the national squad Craig Foster; and Bahram Mavaddat, who was in the country's selection for the global tournament.

Arrest and Unjust Proceedings

Vafaei Sani was detained in the spring of 2020. The accusations against him entailed “spreading corruption on Earth through incendiarism and destruction of state assets”. His verdict has been reversed twice but on the fourth of October it was upheld on the third attempt. His court case was denounced as “grossly unfair” by rights defenders and organizations.

Call to International Body

The urging to prevent Vafaei Sani’s capital punishment follows a 2023 appeal to the United Nations official for human rights, backed by in excess of a hundred rights specialists and organizations, calling for measures to avert the sports figure's death.

Death Penalty Surge

As per data, there is an “execution crisis in Iran, which has achieved alarming levels”. In 2023, officials sentenced at least 853 people – a nearly half increase on 2022. In the prior period, records showed nine hundred seventy-two capital punishments, constituting the maximum count since 2015. In excess of 800 people have been put to death so far in 2025.

Dissidents and opponents are victims, particularly in the aftermath of the 2022 uprising. Analysts say the Iranian authorities have used the capital punishment to quell dissent, instil apprehension among the public and tighten their control on authority.