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More than twenty Olympic medallists, coaches and further international athletes have endorsed a statement demanding a stop to the death penalty of a boxing titleholder and instructor, who is sentenced to die in Iran.

Escalating Worldwide Condemnation

Amid growing worldwide anger over Iran’s escalating use of capital punishment as a tool of repression, the forcefully phrased appeal denounces the government's decision to uphold the execution order of the athlete.

The athlete, three decades old, from the city in the northern province, was arrested for participating in countrywide demonstrations in two thousand nineteen and indicted of supporting an resistance movement. He has spent 60 months in incarceration, where he has been abused and kept in solitary confinement.

“Sport is meant to promote optimism, solidarity, and fortitude,” the signatories expressed. “The capital punishment of a champion for his political views is a direct assault on these values and a caution to every athlete who attempts to voice opinions.

History of Killing Athletes

The appeal said that the boxer's circumstances was part of a pattern and underscored the nation's record of sentencing to death sports champions for their beliefs, including a football captain, skipper of the soccer squad, and a women's sports leader, skipper of the national women’s volleyball team. In 2020, a wrestling champion, a 27-year Iranian wrestling champion, was also executed.

Additional signatories to the statement consist of Tracy Edwards, who skippered the inaugural women's squad in a round-the-world competition and was the pioneering lady to be awarded a renowned sailing award; the ex- captain of the soccer side an athlete; and a footballer, who was in the national team for the 1978 World Cup.

Arrest and Flawed Legal Process

The athlete was detained in early 2020. The accusations against him comprised “promoting decay on Earth through incendiarism and damage of public property”. His verdict has been annulled twice but on October 4 it was upheld on the third attempt. His legal proceedings was criticized as “highly unjust” by rights defenders and organizations.

Appeal to UN

The urging to stop Vafaei Sani’s execution comes after a previous letter to the United Nations official for rights, endorsed by more than a hundred rights specialists and entities, demanding action to stop the athlete’s capital punishment.

Death Penalty Surge

As per data, there is an “death penalty surge in Iran, which has achieved horrific dimensions”. In two thousand twenty-three, officials sentenced at least over 850 people – a 48% surge on 2022. The year before, data showed nearly a thousand executions, representing the highest number since the year 2015. In excess of eight hundred people have been executed so far in 2025.

Political prisoners and opponents are focus, especially in the aftermath of the 2022 demonstrations. Experts say the Iranian authorities have used the executions to stifle protest, create anxiety among the population and strengthen their grip on rule.