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In excess of twenty Olympic medallists, coaches and further global sports figures have signed a letter urging a stop to the capital punishment of a boxing titleholder and instructor, who is sentenced to die in the country.

Growing International Outrage

During growing international outrage over the country's increasing application of capital punishment as a instrument of suppression, the forcefully phrased appeal censures the government's ruling to confirm the death sentence of the boxing champion.

Vafaei Sani, 30, from the city in the northeastern region, was arrested for taking part in nationwide protests in 2019 and accused of supporting an opposition group. He has spent five years in incarceration, where he has been tortured and kept in isolation.

“Athletics is intended to inspire hope, unity, and bravery,” the supporters stated. “The capital punishment of a winner for his opinions is a blatant attack on these values and a admonition to all sportspeople who dares to voice opinions.

Record of Killing Sports Figures

The letter noted that the athlete's situation was not unique and emphasized Iran’s record of sentencing to death sports champions for their convictions, such as a national team leader, captain of the national football team, and a women's sports leader, captain of the women's volleyball squad. In two thousand twenty, an athlete, a 27-year Iranian competitor, faced the death penalty.

Other signatories to the letter include a yachting pioneer, who skippered the first all-female crew in a international sailing event and was the pioneering lady to earn a esteemed nautical honor; the former captain of the Australian football team an athlete; and a sports figure, who was in the national team for the 1978 World Cup.

Arrest and Flawed Legal Process

Vafaei Sani was detained in early 2020. The allegations against him included “causing deterioration on Earth through incendiarism and destruction of public property”. His verdict has been overturned twice but on October 4 it was maintained on the third attempt. His trial was denounced as “highly unjust” by human rights activists and bodies.

Urging to UN

The urging to prevent the boxer's death sentence follows a 2023 letter to the global human rights chief for freedoms, signed by over one hundred rights specialists and groups, urging action to avert the competitor's execution.

Death Penalty Surge

According to data, there is an “capital punishment escalation in the country, which has reached alarming levels”. In 2023, authorities put to death at least eight hundred fifty-three people – a nearly half surge on the previous year. The year before, data showed nine hundred seventy-two executions, constituting the maximum count since 2015. In excess of 800 people have been put to death so far in 2025.

Dissidents and protesters are targets, particularly in the aftermath of the the year 2022 protests. Experts say the regime have employed the death penalty to suppress dissent, create apprehension among the population and strengthen their control on rule.