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More than two dozen Olympic champions, trainers and other international athletes have put their names to a statement demanding a halt to the death penalty of a boxing champion and trainer, who is sentenced to die in the country.

Growing Global Anger

Amid rising international outrage over Iran’s escalating use of executions as a means of repression, the powerfully expressed letter censures the Iranian regime's decision to confirm the capital punishment of the athlete.

The boxer, 30, from the city in north-east Iran, was taken into custody for being involved in nationwide protests in 2019 and indicted of backing an opposition group. He has spent 60 months in prison, where he has been tortured and kept in seclusion.

“Competition is designed to inspire faith, unity, and bravery,” the supporters expressed. “The execution of a champion for his opinions is a direct assault on these ideals and a admonition to every athlete who dares to express dissent.

Record of Executing Sports Figures

The statement pointed out that Vafaei Sani’s situation was not unique and emphasized the country's past of sentencing to death competitors for their views, such as a national team leader, skipper of the national football team, and a volleyball captain, skipper of the women's volleyball squad. In 2020, Navid Afkari, a 27-year national sports titleholder, was put to death.

Other supporters to the letter consist of a yachting pioneer, who led the pioneering female-only team in a global yacht race and was the initial female to receive a esteemed nautical honor; the previous captain of the national squad an athlete; and Bahram Mavaddat, who was in the national team for the international competition.

Arrest and Flawed Legal Process

Vafaei Sani was detained in early 2020. The accusations against him comprised “promoting decay on Earth through incendiarism and damage of state assets”. His verdict has been overturned twice but on 4 October it was maintained on the third attempt. His legal proceedings was denounced as “grossly unfair” by human rights activists and bodies.

Appeal to International Body

The call to prevent the boxer's death sentence comes after a previous appeal to the UN high commissioner for human rights, signed by in excess of 100 rights specialists and groups, demanding measures to prevent the sports figure's death.

Death Penalty Surge

As per findings, there is an “death penalty surge in the country, which has attained alarming proportions”. In two thousand twenty-three, authorities sentenced at least over 850 people – a 48% increase on 2022. In the prior period, records showed 972 capital punishments, marking the highest number since two thousand fifteen. In excess of 800 people have been put to death so far in 2025.

Political prisoners and dissidents are focus, especially in the aftermath of the 2022's uprising. Specialists say the regime have used the capital punishment to quell opposition, create apprehension among the public and reinforce their grip on authority.