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In excess of 20 Olympic champions, trainers and additional international athletes have signed a letter calling for a end to the death penalty of a champion boxer and instructor, who is facing execution in the nation.

Growing International Outrage

During growing global condemnation over Iran’s increasing application of the death penalty as a means of repression, the strongly worded appeal denounces the Iranian regime's verdict to maintain the execution order of Mohammad Javad Vafaei Sani.

Vafaei Sani, thirty, from Mashhad in north-east Iran, was arrested for being involved in nationwide protests in the year 2019 and charged of supporting an opposition group. He has passed half a decade in prison, where he has been tortured and held in seclusion.

“Competition is intended to promote faith, togetherness, and courage,” the supporters stated. “The death penalty of a champion for his opinions is a blatant attack on these principles and a warning to any competitor who ventures to speak out.

Record of Killing Sports Figures

The appeal pointed out that Vafaei Sani’s situation was part of a pattern and emphasized the nation's history of putting to death athletes for their convictions, such as a national team leader, captain of the football side, and a women's sports leader, captain of the women's volleyball squad. In two thousand twenty, Navid Afkari, a 27-year national wrestling champion, faced the death penalty.

Other signatories to the statement comprise a sailing champion, who captained the first women's squad in a international sailing event and was the first woman to be awarded a prestigious nautical honor; the previous leader of the Australian football team Craig Foster; and Bahram Mavaddat, who was in the country's selection for the international competition.

Arrest and Flawed Legal Process

Vafaei Sani was taken into custody in March 2020. The charges against him entailed “causing deterioration on Earth through arson and destruction of state assets”. His sentence has been reversed on two occasions but on October 4 it was upheld on the third occasion. His legal proceedings was denounced as “grossly unfair” by human rights activists and groups.

Appeal to International Body

The appeal to stop the boxer's capital punishment comes after a 2023 appeal to the UN high commissioner for human rights, endorsed by more than a hundred human rights experts and organizations, urging measures to avert the sports figure's death.

Capital Punishment Escalation

As per reports, there is an “death penalty surge in the nation, which has achieved horrific proportions”. In two thousand twenty-three, the government put to death at least over 850 people – a 48% surge on 2022. In the prior period, data showed nearly a thousand deaths, constituting the peak figure since two thousand fifteen. Over 800 people have been put to death so far in 2025.

Dissidents and dissidents are focus, particularly in the aftermath of the the year 2022 protests. Experts say the Iranian authorities have utilized the death penalty to quell dissent, create fear among the population and tighten their control on authority.