🔗 Share this article

In excess of two dozen Olympic medallists, coaches and other world-class competitors have put their names to a statement demanding a halt to the capital punishment of a champion boxer and trainer, who is sentenced to die in the country.

Increasing Worldwide Condemnation

Amidst increasing global condemnation over Iran’s increasing application of capital punishment as a means of repression, the forcefully phrased appeal censures the Iranian regime's decision to confirm the capital punishment of the boxing champion.

Vafaei Sani, 30, from the city in the northeastern region, was arrested for participating in nationwide protests in 2019 and indicted of backing an opposition group. He has endured five years in detention, where he has been tortured and confined in solitary confinement.

“Athletics is meant to inspire optimism, solidarity, and fortitude,” the supporters stated. “The capital punishment of a titleholder for his opinions is a blatant attack on these principles and a warning to any competitor who attempts to express dissent.

Record of Putting to Death Athletes

The appeal said that the athlete's case was not unique and highlighted the country's history of putting to death competitors for their views, such as Habib Khabiri, skipper of the soccer squad, and a women's sports leader, leader of the female volleyball side. In 2020, a wrestling champion, a 27-year-old Iranian sports titleholder, was also executed.

Further supporters to the letter include a sailing champion, who skippered the pioneering women's squad in a round-the-world competition and was the initial female to receive a renowned yachting trophy; the ex- leader of the national squad a sports advocate; and Bahram Mavaddat, who was in the Iranian squad for the international competition.

Arrest and Flawed Legal Process

The boxer was arrested in early 2020. The allegations against him entailed “promoting decay on Earth through arson and ruin of government belongings”. His ruling has been overturned on two occasions but on the fourth of October it was confirmed on the latest review. His legal proceedings was criticized as “deeply biased” by human rights activists and bodies.

Appeal to United Nations

The call to stop the boxer's death sentence comes after a previous appeal to the United Nations official for rights, signed by in excess of a hundred advocates and entities, calling for measures to stop the competitor's execution.

Execution Crisis

As per data, there is an “execution crisis in the country, which has reached horrific levels”. In two thousand twenty-three, authorities executed at least eight hundred fifty-three people – a forty-eight percent increase on 2022. Last year, data showed 972 executions, marking the peak figure since two thousand fifteen. Over eight hundred people have been executed so far in 2025.

Political prisoners and dissidents are targets, particularly in the aftermath of the 2022's uprising. Analysts say the regime have utilized the death penalty to suppress opposition, create apprehension among the citizenry and tighten their grip on authority.