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More than 20 Olympic medallists, mentors and other world-class competitors have signed a statement calling for a halt to the capital punishment of a boxing titleholder and coach, who is facing execution in Iran.

Increasing Worldwide Condemnation

During increasing international outrage over the nation's escalating use of executions as a means of oppression, the powerfully expressed letter condemns the authorities's decision to uphold the capital punishment of Mohammad Javad Vafaei Sani.

Vafaei Sani, three decades old, from Mashhad in north-east Iran, was taken into custody for being involved in national uprisings in two thousand nineteen and charged of aiding an dissident organization. He has passed half a decade in detention, where he has been abused and held in isolation.

“Competition is designed to inspire optimism, unity, and fortitude,” the supporters stated. “The capital punishment of a titleholder for his political views is a clear violation on these principles and a caution to any competitor who attempts to speak out.

History of Putting to Death Competitors

The appeal pointed out that Vafaei Sani’s situation was part of a pattern and highlighted the nation's history of putting to death sports champions for their views, for example a football captain, leader of the national football team, and a women's sports leader, leader of the female volleyball side. In the year 2020, an athlete, a young national sports titleholder, was put to death.

Further signatories to the letter include Tracy Edwards, who skippered the first women's squad in a global yacht race and was the initial female to receive a esteemed sailing award; the ex- skipper of the Australian football team Craig Foster; and Bahram Mavaddat, who was in the Iranian squad for the global tournament.

Detention and Unjust Proceedings

Vafaei Sani was taken into custody in March 2020. The accusations against him comprised “promoting decay on Earth through fire-setting and destruction of public property”. His verdict has been overturned multiple times but on October 4 it was maintained on the third occasion. His trial was criticized as “deeply biased” by human rights activists and groups.

Call to United Nations

The appeal to prevent Vafaei Sani’s death sentence is subsequent to a 2023 statement to the UN high commissioner for human rights, endorsed by more than a hundred rights specialists and organizations, demanding action to prevent the competitor's execution.

Execution Crisis

According to data, there is an “capital punishment escalation in Iran, which has reached shocking levels”. In two thousand twenty-three, authorities put to death at least over 850 people – a nearly half increase on 2022. In the prior period, data showed nine hundred seventy-two executions, marking the maximum count since the year 2015. More than hundreds of people have been sentenced so far in 2025.

Activists and opponents are targets, particularly in the aftermath of the the year 2022 uprising. Analysts say the regime have utilized the executions to quell protest, create anxiety among the citizenry and reinforce their hold on rule.