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Over two dozen Olympic medal winners, mentors and additional global sports figures have signed a letter demanding a stop to the execution of a champion boxer and instructor, who is sentenced to die in the country.

Increasing Worldwide Condemnation

Amid rising international outrage over Iran’s escalating use of the death penalty as a means of suppression, the strongly worded letter denounces the government's verdict to uphold the capital punishment of the athlete.

The boxer, three decades old, from the city in the northeastern region, was detained for participating in countrywide demonstrations in 2019 and accused of supporting an opposition group. He has passed five years in incarceration, where he has been abused and confined in solitary confinement.

“Competition is intended to encourage optimism, unity, and courage,” the supporters stated. “The death penalty of a titleholder for his opinions is a clear violation on these ideals and a caution to any competitor who ventures to speak out.

Pattern of Putting to Death Sports Figures

The appeal pointed out that Vafaei Sani’s case was not unique and highlighted Iran’s history of sentencing to death sports champions for their convictions, for example Habib Khabiri, captain of the national football team, and a volleyball captain, captain of the national women’s volleyball team. In the year 2020, a wrestling champion, a young Iranian sports titleholder, was also executed.

Further signatories to the appeal comprise a sailing champion, who captained the inaugural female-only team in a international sailing event and was the initial female to earn a renowned nautical honor; the ex- leader of the soccer side Craig Foster; and a footballer, who was in the country's selection for the international competition.

Arrest and Flawed Legal Process

The athlete was taken into custody in early 2020. The accusations against him included “promoting decay on Earth through arson and damage of government belongings”. His verdict has been reversed twice but on 4 October it was maintained on the latest review. His legal proceedings was denounced as “highly unjust” by advocates and bodies.

Appeal to United Nations

The urging to prevent the boxer's death sentence follows a previous statement to the United Nations official for human rights, signed by in excess of 100 rights specialists and organizations, calling for action to avert the athlete’s execution.

Death Penalty Surge

According to data, there is an “death penalty surge in the nation, which has attained alarming proportions”. In 2023, authorities sentenced at least 853 people – a forty-eight percent surge on the previous year. The year before, records showed nearly a thousand deaths, marking the highest number since the year 2015. Over 800 people have been put to death so far in 2025.

Activists and protesters are focus, notably in the aftermath of the the year 2022 uprising. Analysts say the government have employed the executions to quell dissent, instil apprehension among the population and strengthen their grip on authority.