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Over 20 Olympic medallists, trainers and other world-class competitors have signed a letter calling for a stop to the death penalty of a boxing champion and instructor, who is sentenced to die in the country.

Escalating International Outrage

Amidst rising worldwide anger over the country's increasing application of the death penalty as a tool of oppression, the forcefully phrased letter denounces the government's ruling to confirm the execution order of the boxing champion.

Vafaei Sani, thirty, from the city in north-east Iran, was arrested for being involved in national uprisings in the year 2019 and charged of aiding an resistance movement. He has passed 60 months in incarceration, where he has been tortured and kept in seclusion.

“Athletics is designed to encourage faith, unity, and bravery,” the endorsers wrote. “The capital punishment of a champion for his political views is a clear violation on these ideals and a warning to every athlete who dares to express dissent.

History of Killing Sports Figures

The letter pointed out that Vafaei Sani’s case was not unique and emphasized the nation's past of executing sports champions for their views, such as a national team leader, captain of the national football team, and a women's sports leader, leader of the national women’s volleyball team. In the year 2020, a wrestling champion, a 27-year national wrestling champion, was also executed.

Further supporters to the letter consist of Tracy Edwards, who led the pioneering female-only team in a international sailing event and was the pioneering lady to earn a renowned sailing award; the former leader of the national squad an athlete; and a sports figure, who was in the Iranian squad for the 1978 World Cup.

Arrest and Unfair Trial

The athlete was detained in March 2020. The accusations against him comprised “promoting decay on Earth through arson and damage of state assets”. His ruling has been annulled on two occasions but on the fourth of October it was maintained on the latest review. His court case was denounced as “deeply biased” by advocates and bodies.

Call to United Nations

The urging to stop the athlete's execution follows a earlier appeal to the UN high commissioner for human rights, signed by in excess of 100 human rights experts and organizations, demanding action to avert the competitor's execution.

Death Penalty Surge

According to findings, there is an “death penalty surge in the nation, which has achieved alarming proportions”. In 2023, the government sentenced at least over 850 people – a nearly half surge on the previous year. In the prior period, statistics showed 972 deaths, constituting the peak figure since the year 2015. Over 800 people have been sentenced so far in 2025.

Dissidents and opponents are victims, especially in the wake of the the year 2022 protests. Analysts say the Iranian authorities have employed the death penalty to quell dissent, create anxiety among the citizenry and tighten their grip on authority.