🔗 Share this article

Over twenty Olympic medallists, trainers and other international athletes have put their names to a letter urging a stop to the death penalty of a boxing titleholder and coach, who is facing execution in the nation.

Growing Worldwide Condemnation

During rising international outrage over Iran’s increasing application of capital punishment as a instrument of repression, the strongly worded letter condemns the Iranian regime's decision to maintain the capital punishment of Mohammad Javad Vafaei Sani.

The boxer, three decades old, from Mashhad in the northern province, was taken into custody for taking part in countrywide demonstrations in two thousand nineteen and accused of supporting an dissident organization. He has endured half a decade in detention, where he has been tortured and held in solitary confinement.

“Sport is designed to inspire hope, solidarity, and courage,” the signatories expressed. “The death penalty of a winner for his opinions is a clear violation on these principles and a admonition to any competitor who attempts to speak out.

Pattern of Putting to Death Competitors

The letter noted that the boxer's circumstances was not an isolated one and highlighted the country's record of executing sports champions for their convictions, for example Habib Khabiri, captain of the football side, and a volleyball captain, skipper of the female volleyball side. In 2020, a wrestling champion, a 27-year national wrestling champion, faced the death penalty.

Additional signatories to the appeal comprise a yachting pioneer, who led the inaugural women's squad in a global yacht race and was the first woman to receive a prestigious yachting trophy; the former captain of the soccer side a sports advocate; and a sports figure, who was in the Iranian squad for the global tournament.

Arrest and Unfair Trial

Vafaei Sani was detained in early 2020. The allegations against him included “causing deterioration on Earth through incendiarism and destruction of state assets”. His verdict has been reversed twice but on the fourth of October it was upheld on the third occasion. His trial was condemned as “grossly unfair” by human rights activists and bodies.

Urging to International Body

The appeal to halt the athlete's execution follows a previous appeal to the global human rights chief for freedoms, backed by in excess of a hundred advocates and groups, demanding intervention to avert the competitor's execution.

Execution Crisis

As per data, there is an “execution crisis in the nation, which has reached alarming dimensions”. In the year 2023, authorities executed at least 853 people – a nearly half increase on the previous year. The year before, data showed 972 deaths, representing the peak figure since two thousand fifteen. Over eight hundred people have been put to death so far in 2025.

Activists and dissidents are focus, especially in the aftermath of the the year 2022 protests. Experts say the regime have used the death penalty to quell opposition, generate apprehension among the public and strengthen their control on rule.