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More than 20 Olympic medal winners, mentors and other world-class competitors have signed a letter urging a end to the capital punishment of a boxing champion and trainer, who is facing execution in the nation.

Escalating International Outrage

Amid increasing international outrage over Iran’s escalating use of executions as a means of suppression, the powerfully expressed letter condemns the government's decision to uphold the death sentence of the athlete.

The athlete, three decades old, from Mashhad in the northern province, was arrested for participating in national uprisings in the year 2019 and accused of backing an opposition group. He has passed half a decade in prison, where he has been abused and confined in solitary confinement.

“Competition is intended to inspire faith, unity, and fortitude,” the signatories expressed. “The capital punishment of a champion for his opinions is a blatant attack on these ideals and a caution to any competitor who dares to speak out.

History of Killing Sports Figures

The letter said that Vafaei Sani’s case was not an isolated one and highlighted Iran’s past of putting to death sports champions for their beliefs, including a national team leader, skipper of the soccer squad, and Fourouzan Abdi, skipper of the women's volleyball squad. In 2020, a wrestling champion, a young Iranian competitor, faced the death penalty.

Additional supporters to the letter consist of a yachting pioneer, who led the inaugural all-female crew in a international sailing event and was the first woman to be awarded a esteemed nautical honor; the previous captain of the soccer side an athlete; and a sports figure, who was in the Iranian squad for the international competition.

Arrest and Unjust Proceedings

The boxer was taken into custody in March 2020. The charges against him comprised “promoting decay on Earth through incendiarism and damage of government belongings”. His verdict has been reversed multiple times but on the fourth of October it was confirmed on the latest review. His legal proceedings was criticized as “grossly unfair” by advocates and organizations.

Appeal to United Nations

The urging to prevent the athlete's capital punishment comes after a 2023 letter to the United Nations official for human rights, endorsed by more than a hundred human rights experts and organizations, urging intervention to stop the sports figure's death.

Capital Punishment Escalation

According to findings, there is an “execution crisis in the nation, which has attained alarming proportions”. In two thousand twenty-three, the government put to death at least eight hundred fifty-three people – a 48% surge on 2022. The year before, data showed 972 executions, representing the highest number since the year 2015. In excess of eight hundred people have been executed so far in 2025.

Dissidents and opponents are targets, particularly in the wake of the 2022's protests. Specialists say the government have employed the death penalty to quell opposition, create apprehension among the public and strengthen their grip on power.