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Over twenty Olympic champions, mentors and further global sports figures have endorsed a statement calling for a halt to the capital punishment of a boxing champion and instructor, who is on death row in Iran.

Escalating Global Anger

During increasing international outrage over Iran’s escalating use of capital punishment as a instrument of repression, the forcefully phrased appeal censures the government's verdict to confirm the capital punishment of the athlete.

The athlete, thirty, from the city in north-east Iran, was taken into custody for taking part in nationwide protests in the year 2019 and accused of supporting an dissident organization. He has endured half a decade in prison, where he has been mistreated and confined in isolation.

“Sport is designed to promote optimism, solidarity, and courage,” the signatories expressed. “The execution of a titleholder for his beliefs is a clear violation on these values and a warning to any competitor who ventures to voice opinions.

Record of Killing Competitors

The appeal said that Vafaei Sani’s case was not unique and underscored Iran’s history of executing athletes for their beliefs, for example a football captain, captain of the soccer squad, and Fourouzan Abdi, skipper of the female volleyball side. In 2020, a wrestling champion, a young Iranian competitor, was also executed.

Other signatories to the statement comprise Tracy Edwards, who skippered the first female-only team in a global yacht race and was the pioneering lady to be awarded a renowned sailing award; the previous leader of the Australian football team a sports advocate; and a sports figure, who was in the national team for the global tournament.

Detention and Unjust Proceedings

Vafaei Sani was arrested in the spring of 2020. The accusations against him entailed “spreading corruption on Earth through arson and ruin of government belongings”. His verdict has been annulled twice but on the fourth of October it was upheld on the third occasion. His court case was condemned as “grossly unfair” by rights defenders and groups.

Appeal to United Nations

The appeal to prevent Vafaei Sani’s death sentence comes after a previous statement to the global human rights chief for rights, endorsed by over 100 rights specialists and entities, demanding intervention to avert the athlete’s execution.

Capital Punishment Escalation

Based on data, there is an “death penalty surge in Iran, which has reached horrific dimensions”. In the year 2023, the government put to death at least over 850 people – a 48% rise on 2022. Last year, records showed 972 executions, representing the maximum count since the year 2015. In excess of 800 people have been executed so far in 2025.

Political prisoners and dissidents are focus, especially in the wake of the 2022's demonstrations. Specialists say the government have used the capital punishment to suppress opposition, create apprehension among the public and tighten their hold on authority.