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More than two dozen Olympic medallists, coaches and further world-class competitors have signed a statement demanding a stop to the capital punishment of a boxing titleholder and instructor, who is sentenced to die in the country.

Increasing Worldwide Condemnation

Amid growing worldwide anger over Iran’s escalating use of executions as a tool of oppression, the strongly worded letter censures the government's decision to confirm the capital punishment of Mohammad Javad Vafaei Sani.

The athlete, three decades old, from Mashhad 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 endured 60 months in prison, where he has been mistreated and confined in isolation.

“Athletics is meant to encourage hope, solidarity, and fortitude,” the supporters stated. “The execution of a titleholder for his political views is a clear violation on these ideals and a caution to every athlete who dares to express dissent.

Record of Executing Sports Figures

The statement noted that Vafaei Sani’s case was not unique and underscored Iran’s record of executing competitors for their beliefs, for example Habib Khabiri, captain of the national football team, and a volleyball captain, captain of the women's volleyball squad. In the year 2020, Navid Afkari, a 27-year national competitor, faced the death penalty.

Additional endorsers to the statement include a sailing champion, who captained the pioneering female-only team in a round-the-world competition and was the first woman to be awarded a renowned nautical honor; the previous skipper of the Australian football team Craig Foster; and a footballer, who was in the Iranian squad for the 1978 World Cup.

Detention and Flawed Legal Process

The boxer was arrested in early 2020. The charges against him entailed “causing deterioration on Earth through incendiarism and ruin of government belongings”. His ruling has been annulled twice but on the fourth of October it was maintained on the latest review. His legal proceedings was denounced as “deeply biased” by advocates and groups.

Call to UN

The call to halt the athlete's capital punishment comes after a previous appeal to the global human rights chief for rights, signed by in excess of one hundred human rights experts and groups, calling for measures to stop the sports figure's death.

Execution Crisis

As per findings, there is an “death penalty surge in Iran, which has achieved shocking proportions”. In two thousand twenty-three, authorities sentenced at least 853 people – a 48% surge on 2022. In the prior period, records showed 972 deaths, marking the highest number since the year 2015. Over hundreds of people have been sentenced so far in 2025.

Activists and opponents are targets, particularly in the aftermath of the the year 2022 protests. Specialists say the Iranian authorities have employed the executions to stifle opposition, instil apprehension among the population and strengthen their control on power.