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More than twenty Olympic medallists, coaches and further world-class competitors have endorsed a statement calling for a end to the death penalty of a boxing champion and instructor, who is on death row in Iran.

Escalating International Outrage

During growing international outrage over Iran’s expanding employment of capital punishment as a instrument of oppression, the strongly worded letter censures the government's ruling to confirm the death sentence of the athlete.

The boxer, three decades old, from the city in the northeastern region, was arrested for taking part in nationwide protests in 2019 and charged of supporting an opposition group. He has spent half a decade in prison, where he has been abused and confined in isolation.

“Sport is intended to encourage hope, togetherness, and courage,” the signatories expressed. “The execution of a winner for his opinions is a clear violation on these principles and a warning to any competitor who dares to voice opinions.

Record of Putting to Death Athletes

The statement said that Vafaei Sani’s case was part of a pattern and underscored the nation's past of executing athletes for their convictions, including Habib Khabiri, skipper of the football side, and a women's sports leader, skipper of the female volleyball side. In two thousand twenty, an athlete, a young national sports titleholder, was also executed.

Additional supporters to the appeal consist of a yachting pioneer, who led the inaugural women's squad in a round-the-world competition and was the pioneering lady to receive a renowned yachting trophy; the previous skipper of the national squad an athlete; and a footballer, who was in the national team for the international competition.

Arrest and Unjust Proceedings

The athlete was detained in early 2020. The allegations against him included “promoting decay on Earth through incendiarism and damage of government belongings”. His ruling has been reversed twice but on the fourth of October it was confirmed on the latest review. His trial was criticized as “grossly unfair” by advocates and groups.

Call to International Body

The urging to halt Vafaei Sani’s death sentence follows a earlier statement to the United Nations official for rights, backed by in excess of one hundred human rights experts and organizations, demanding action to avert the athlete’s capital punishment.

Death Penalty Surge

According to findings, there is an “death penalty surge in the country, which has attained alarming levels”. In two thousand twenty-three, authorities put to death at least eight hundred fifty-three people – a 48% surge on 2022. In the prior period, records showed nine hundred seventy-two executions, marking the peak figure since 2015. Over eight hundred people have been put to death so far in 2025.

Activists and dissidents are targets, especially in the aftermath of the 2022 uprising. Analysts say the Iranian authorities have employed the capital punishment to quell opposition, generate fear among the public and tighten their hold on authority.