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More than two dozen Olympic champions, mentors and further global sports figures have endorsed a letter urging a halt to the capital punishment of a boxing champion and coach, who is on death row in the nation.

Escalating Global Anger

Amidst growing global condemnation over the nation's escalating use of capital punishment as a means of repression, the forcefully phrased letter denounces the Iranian regime's verdict to uphold the capital punishment of the athlete.

The athlete, three decades old, from the city in the northern province, was arrested for taking part in nationwide protests in 2019 and accused of backing an dissident organization. He has endured 60 months in prison, where he has been abused and kept in isolation.

“Athletics is intended to inspire faith, solidarity, and fortitude,” the supporters wrote. “The execution of a champion for his opinions is a direct assault on these ideals and a warning to any competitor who ventures to voice opinions.

Record of Killing Athletes

The appeal pointed out that the boxer's situation was not unique and highlighted the country's record of putting to death sports champions for their convictions, such as Habib Khabiri, leader of the football side, and Fourouzan Abdi, skipper of the female volleyball side. In the year 2020, an athlete, a young Iranian wrestling champion, was put to death.

Additional endorsers to the statement comprise a yachting pioneer, who captained the pioneering all-female crew in a global yacht race and was the pioneering lady to be awarded a renowned yachting trophy; the ex- skipper of the soccer side an athlete; and a footballer, who was in the national team for the global tournament.

Detention and Unfair Trial

Vafaei Sani was detained in March 2020. The allegations against him entailed “promoting decay on Earth through fire-setting and damage of state assets”. His ruling has been reversed multiple times but on October 4 it was maintained on the third occasion. His court case was denounced as “grossly unfair” by advocates and organizations.

Call to United Nations

The call to prevent Vafaei Sani’s execution comes after a previous letter to the United Nations official for freedoms, signed by more than 100 rights specialists and organizations, urging intervention to avert the competitor's capital punishment.

Capital Punishment Escalation

Based on findings, there is an “capital punishment escalation in the nation, which has achieved alarming levels”. In the year 2023, the government put to death at least over 850 people – a 48% increase on the previous year. The year before, data showed nearly a thousand deaths, constituting the highest number since two thousand fifteen. Over hundreds of people have been executed so far in 2025.

Political prisoners and protesters are focus, particularly in the aftermath of the 2022 demonstrations. Specialists say the regime have utilized the death penalty to suppress dissent, create fear among the public and reinforce their hold on rule.