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More than twenty Olympic champions, coaches and further global sports figures have signed a appeal urging a end to the execution of a champion boxer and instructor, who is on death row in the country.

Increasing Global Anger

Amid rising global condemnation over the country's escalating use of executions as a means of oppression, the forcefully phrased appeal condemns the government's ruling to uphold the execution order of the boxing champion.

The boxer, 30, from Mashhad in north-east Iran, was arrested for taking part in nationwide protests in two thousand nineteen and indicted of aiding an opposition group. He has spent 60 months in prison, where he has been tortured and kept in solitary confinement.

“Sport is intended to inspire optimism, solidarity, and fortitude,” the supporters stated. “The capital punishment of a winner for his beliefs is a blatant attack on these values and a admonition to every athlete who ventures to speak out.

History of Executing Sports Figures

The statement said that the boxer's case was part of a pattern and emphasized the country's record of putting to death athletes for their beliefs, such as Habib Khabiri, leader of the football side, and a women's sports leader, captain of the women's volleyball squad. In 2020, a wrestling champion, a young Iranian wrestling champion, faced the death penalty.

Additional supporters to the letter comprise a sailing champion, who led the pioneering all-female crew in a global yacht race and was the pioneering lady to earn a renowned sailing award; the previous skipper of the national squad a sports advocate; and Bahram Mavaddat, who was in the country's selection for the international competition.

Arrest and Unjust Proceedings

The athlete was detained in early 2020. The accusations against him comprised “causing deterioration on Earth through arson and ruin of state assets”. His verdict has been annulled twice but on the fourth of October it was confirmed on the third attempt. His trial was denounced as “deeply biased” by advocates and bodies.

Appeal to International Body

The appeal to prevent Vafaei Sani’s capital punishment is subsequent to a earlier appeal to the United Nations official for human rights, signed by in excess of a hundred rights specialists and organizations, demanding intervention to prevent the sports figure's execution.

Capital Punishment Escalation

Based on data, there is an “capital punishment escalation in the country, which has achieved horrific levels”. In the year 2023, the government put to death at least over 850 people – a 48% rise on 2022. In the prior period, records showed 972 deaths, constituting the highest number since two thousand fifteen. More than eight hundred people have been put to death so far in 2025.

Political prisoners and dissidents are targets, especially in the aftermath of the the year 2022 uprising. Specialists say the regime have employed the executions to stifle protest, generate apprehension among the citizenry and tighten their control on rule.