Elite Athletes Call on Iran to Prevent Execution of Champion Boxer

In excess of two dozen Olympic medallists, mentors and additional international athletes have endorsed a statement demanding a stop to the death penalty of a champion boxer and instructor, who is on death row in the country.

Increasing Worldwide Condemnation

Amidst rising worldwide anger over the nation's escalating use of the death penalty as a means of repression, the strongly worded letter denounces the authorities's decision to uphold the execution order of Mohammad Javad Vafaei Sani.

Vafaei Sani, three decades old, from Mashhad in the northeastern region, was taken into custody for participating in national uprisings in the year 2019 and charged of backing an resistance movement. He has passed 60 months in detention, where he has been tortured and kept in seclusion.

“Sport is designed to encourage optimism, unity, and courage,” the endorsers expressed. “The execution of a champion for his beliefs is a direct assault on these principles and a warning to any competitor who attempts to express dissent.

History of Putting to Death Competitors

The appeal said that Vafaei Sani’s circumstances was not unique and highlighted the country's record of putting to death sports champions for their convictions, including Habib Khabiri, leader of the football side, and a women's sports leader, skipper of the national women’s volleyball team. In two thousand twenty, a wrestling champion, a 27-year-old national competitor, faced the death penalty.

Additional supporters to the appeal include a sailing champion, who led the inaugural female-only team in a international sailing event and was the first woman to be awarded a esteemed yachting trophy; the previous captain of the Australian football team Craig Foster; and a footballer, who was in the national team for the global tournament.

Apprehension and Unjust Proceedings

Vafaei Sani was detained in the spring of 2020. The allegations against him included “causing deterioration on Earth through arson and damage of government belongings”. His sentence has been annulled multiple times but on the fourth of October it was confirmed on the third attempt. His legal proceedings was condemned as “highly unjust” by advocates and bodies.

Call to United Nations

The call to prevent the boxer's death sentence is subsequent to a earlier letter to the UN high commissioner for rights, backed by more than a hundred human rights experts and organizations, calling for measures to avert the sports figure's capital punishment.

Death Penalty Surge

Based on findings, there is an “capital punishment escalation in the country, which has attained shocking dimensions”. In 2023, the government put to death at least 853 people – a 48% rise on 2022. In the prior period, data showed 972 capital punishments, representing the peak figure since 2015. More than eight hundred people have been executed so far in 2025.

Dissidents and dissidents are victims, particularly in the aftermath of the the year 2022 uprising. Experts say the government have used the death penalty to quell opposition, generate fear among the public and tighten their hold on power.