🔗 Share this article Elite Athletes Urge on Iranian Authorities to Prevent Execution of Champion Boxer More than 20 Olympic medallists, mentors and further international athletes have put their names to a letter demanding a halt to the execution of a boxing titleholder and trainer, who is sentenced to die in Iran. Escalating Global Anger Amid rising global condemnation over the country's expanding employment of executions as a tool of oppression, the forcefully phrased letter condemns the government's verdict to confirm the death sentence of the boxing champion. The athlete, three decades old, from the city in north-east Iran, was taken into custody for participating in countrywide demonstrations in the year 2019 and indicted of aiding an dissident organization. He has passed five years in prison, where he has been mistreated and confined in seclusion. “Competition is meant to inspire optimism, unity, and bravery,” the endorsers stated. “The execution of a champion for his political views is a clear violation on these ideals and a caution to every athlete who ventures to express dissent. Record of Putting to Death Competitors The statement pointed out that the boxer's case was part of a pattern and emphasized Iran’s record of executing sports champions for their views, such as a national team leader, leader of the soccer squad, and Fourouzan Abdi, captain of the women's volleyball squad. In two thousand twenty, Navid Afkari, a 27-year Iranian sports titleholder, was also executed. Further endorsers to the appeal include a sailing champion, who skippered the pioneering female-only team in a round-the-world competition and was the initial female to be awarded a prestigious nautical honor; the previous captain of the national squad Craig Foster; and a footballer, who was in the country's selection for the international competition. Arrest and Unjust Proceedings Vafaei Sani was detained in the spring of 2020. The allegations against him included “promoting decay on Earth through arson and ruin of state assets”. His verdict has been annulled on two occasions but on October 4 it was upheld on the latest review. His legal proceedings was denounced as “deeply biased” by human rights activists and organizations. Appeal to United Nations The call to stop Vafaei Sani’s execution follows a 2023 letter to the UN high commissioner for freedoms, signed by in excess of 100 advocates and groups, calling for intervention to avert the athlete’s death. Capital Punishment Escalation According to data, there is an “capital punishment escalation in Iran, which has attained horrific dimensions”. In the year 2023, officials put to death at least 853 people – a forty-eight percent rise on the previous year. Last year, records showed 972 executions, constituting the peak figure since the year 2015. Over eight hundred people have been put to death so far in 2025. Dissidents and opponents are victims, particularly in the aftermath of the 2022's uprising. Experts say the Iranian authorities have employed the death penalty to stifle dissent, instil apprehension among the population and strengthen their grip on authority.