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More than twenty Olympic champions, mentors and additional global sports figures have signed a appeal urging a stop to the death penalty of a boxing champion and instructor, who is facing execution in the nation.

Increasing International Outrage

Amidst growing international outrage over the nation's expanding employment of capital punishment as a instrument of suppression, the strongly worded letter denounces the Iranian regime's verdict to confirm the capital punishment of Mohammad Javad Vafaei Sani.

Vafaei Sani, three decades old, from Mashhad in the northern province, was arrested for participating in national uprisings in 2019 and charged of aiding an dissident organization. He has endured half a decade in detention, where he has been mistreated and held in seclusion.

“Sport is intended to inspire faith, solidarity, and fortitude,” the supporters stated. “The death penalty of a titleholder for his beliefs is a blatant attack on these values and a caution to every athlete who ventures to express dissent.

History of Putting to Death Sports Figures

The statement noted that the athlete's circumstances was part of a pattern and emphasized the country's history of putting to death sports champions for their views, for example a football captain, skipper of the football side, and a women's sports leader, skipper of the female volleyball side. In 2020, a wrestling champion, a 27-year-old Iranian sports titleholder, faced the death penalty.

Further signatories to the statement consist of a yachting pioneer, who skippered the first all-female crew in a round-the-world competition and was the pioneering lady to be awarded a prestigious nautical honor; the ex- leader of the soccer side a sports advocate; and Bahram Mavaddat, who was in the Iranian squad for the international competition.

Detention and Unjust Proceedings

Vafaei Sani was detained in early 2020. The allegations against him entailed “promoting decay on Earth through arson and damage of government belongings”. His verdict has been annulled twice but on 4 October it was upheld on the latest review. His legal proceedings was condemned as “grossly unfair” by human rights activists and organizations.

Urging to United Nations

The appeal to prevent Vafaei Sani’s execution comes after a 2023 letter to the global human rights chief for human rights, endorsed by over 100 human rights experts and groups, calling for action to prevent the athlete’s capital punishment.

Death Penalty Surge

Based on reports, there is an “capital punishment escalation in the country, which has reached horrific levels”. In 2023, authorities executed at least 853 people – a 48% rise on the previous year. Last year, data showed nine hundred seventy-two capital punishments, marking the peak figure since the year 2015. Over 800 people have been put to death so far in 2025.

Political prisoners and protesters are focus, particularly in the aftermath of the 2022's protests. Analysts say the Iranian authorities have employed the death penalty to quell protest, generate apprehension among the population and strengthen their control on power.