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In excess of 20 Olympic medallists, mentors and other world-class competitors have endorsed a statement calling for a end to the capital punishment of a boxing titleholder and instructor, who is sentenced to die in the country.

Escalating Worldwide Condemnation

Amid rising worldwide anger over the country's expanding employment of capital punishment as a means of oppression, the strongly worded statement condemns the Iranian regime's verdict to maintain the execution order of the athlete.

Vafaei Sani, 30, from Mashhad in the northeastern region, was taken into custody for being involved in national uprisings in 2019 and accused of aiding an resistance movement. He has endured 60 months in incarceration, where he has been abused and held in solitary confinement.

“Athletics is meant to promote optimism, togetherness, and courage,” the signatories stated. “The capital punishment of a winner for his political views is a direct assault on these values and a caution to all sportspeople who dares to speak out.

Record of Killing Athletes

The statement pointed out that the boxer's circumstances was not unique and emphasized Iran’s past of putting to death competitors for their views, such as a football captain, captain of the football side, and a volleyball captain, skipper of the national women’s volleyball team. In the year 2020, an athlete, a young Iranian wrestling champion, was put to death.

Additional supporters to the statement consist of a yachting pioneer, who skippered the first women's squad in a international sailing event and was the first woman to be awarded a esteemed yachting trophy; the previous leader of the Australian football team an athlete; and a footballer, who was in the national team for the international competition.

Arrest and Flawed Legal Process

The athlete was arrested in March 2020. The accusations against him included “causing deterioration on Earth through fire-setting and damage of public property”. His ruling has been reversed twice but on October 4 it was confirmed on the third occasion. His court case was criticized as “deeply biased” by rights defenders and groups.

Call to UN

The call to halt the athlete's capital punishment follows a previous letter to the global human rights chief for human rights, endorsed by over 100 advocates and organizations, calling for intervention to prevent the sports figure's execution.

Death Penalty Surge

According to findings, there is an “execution crisis in the nation, which has reached horrific levels”. In the year 2023, the government sentenced at least 853 people – a 48% increase on the previous year. The year before, statistics showed 972 deaths, representing the highest number since 2015. In excess of 800 people have been executed so far in 2025.

Political prisoners and protesters are focus, especially in the aftermath of the 2022's demonstrations. Specialists say the Iranian authorities have used the capital punishment to quell opposition, instil fear among the public and reinforce their hold on power.