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Over 20 Olympic medallists, mentors and additional world-class competitors have endorsed a letter calling for a stop to the execution of a boxing champion and instructor, who is facing execution in the country.

Escalating Global Anger

During growing international outrage over the country's expanding employment of executions as a means of repression, the forcefully phrased statement condemns the authorities's ruling to uphold the death sentence of the athlete.

The athlete, 30, from Mashhad in the northeastern region, was arrested for taking part in nationwide protests in the year 2019 and indicted of backing an resistance movement. He has spent 60 months in incarceration, where he has been mistreated and kept in solitary confinement.

“Athletics is designed to encourage hope, togetherness, and bravery,” the signatories expressed. “The execution of a champion for his beliefs is a clear violation on these ideals and a warning to any competitor who dares to voice opinions.

History of Putting to Death Athletes

The appeal noted that Vafaei Sani’s circumstances was not unique and underscored the nation's record of executing competitors for their convictions, for example a football captain, captain of the football side, and a volleyball captain, leader of the national women’s volleyball team. In the year 2020, a wrestling champion, a 27-year-old Iranian competitor, was put to death.

Other signatories to the statement comprise a sailing champion, who led the inaugural female-only team in a round-the-world competition and was the first woman to receive a renowned yachting trophy; the ex- captain of the soccer side Craig Foster; and a sports figure, who was in the national team for the international competition.

Arrest and Flawed Legal Process

Vafaei Sani was arrested in March 2020. The allegations against him included “causing deterioration on Earth through incendiarism and damage of public property”. His sentence has been annulled twice but on 4 October it was confirmed on the third attempt. His trial was condemned as “deeply biased” by rights defenders and groups.

Appeal to United Nations

The appeal to prevent Vafaei Sani’s death sentence comes after a 2023 statement to the United Nations official for freedoms, signed by in excess of one hundred advocates and entities, calling for measures to prevent the competitor's death.

Execution Crisis

As per data, there is an “execution crisis in Iran, which has reached shocking dimensions”. In two thousand twenty-three, officials put to death at least eight hundred fifty-three people – a forty-eight percent surge on the previous year. Last year, data showed 972 executions, representing the maximum count since the year 2015. More than 800 people have been put to death so far in 2025.

Political prisoners and protesters are focus, notably in the aftermath of the 2022's uprising. Experts say the regime have employed the death penalty to quell protest, create fear among the public and strengthen their control on power.