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Over twenty Olympic champions, trainers and other world-class competitors have signed a statement calling for a stop to the execution of a boxing champion and trainer, who is facing execution in the country.

Growing International Outrage

During growing international outrage over the country's expanding employment of executions as a instrument of suppression, the forcefully phrased appeal censures the government's verdict to maintain the execution order of the boxing champion.

Vafaei Sani, three decades old, from the city in the northern province, was detained for taking part in nationwide protests in 2019 and charged of backing an opposition group. He has endured five years in incarceration, where he has been tortured and kept in isolation.

“Sport is meant to encourage hope, solidarity, and bravery,” the supporters stated. “The execution of a champion for his political views is a clear violation on these principles and a warning to every athlete who ventures to voice opinions.

History of Putting to Death Athletes

The letter pointed out that the boxer's situation was part of a pattern and emphasized the nation's past of executing sports champions for their convictions, including Habib Khabiri, captain of the football side, and Fourouzan Abdi, skipper of the female volleyball side. In two thousand twenty, a wrestling champion, a young national sports titleholder, faced the death penalty.

Further supporters to the statement include Tracy Edwards, who led the pioneering women's squad in a international sailing event and was the first woman to earn a prestigious sailing award; the former skipper of the soccer side an athlete; and Bahram Mavaddat, who was in the Iranian squad for the 1978 World Cup.

Arrest and Flawed Legal Process

The boxer was detained in early 2020. The accusations against him entailed “causing deterioration on Earth through incendiarism and destruction of government belongings”. His verdict has been overturned multiple times but on the fourth of October it was confirmed on the latest review. His court case was denounced as “deeply biased” by advocates and groups.

Appeal to International Body

The urging to halt the athlete's capital punishment comes after a previous statement to the global human rights chief for freedoms, backed by more than one hundred advocates and groups, demanding action to stop the athlete’s death.

Capital Punishment Escalation

As per findings, there is an “capital punishment escalation in the nation, which has reached shocking levels”. In two thousand twenty-three, officials put to death at least 853 people – a forty-eight percent increase on 2022. Last year, records showed nine hundred seventy-two deaths, marking the peak figure since the year 2015. More than hundreds of people have been executed so far in 2025.

Dissidents and protesters are focus, notably in the aftermath of the the year 2022 demonstrations. Analysts say the government have used the capital punishment to quell opposition, create fear among the population and reinforce their hold on rule.