🔗 Share this article Olympians Appeal on Iran to Halt Execution of Boxing Star In excess of 20 Olympic medallists, trainers and additional global sports figures have endorsed a letter urging a stop to the execution of a boxing champion and coach, who is sentenced to die in Iran. Increasing International Outrage During rising international outrage over Iran’s increasing application of capital punishment as a means of repression, the powerfully expressed letter condemns the Iranian regime's verdict to confirm the execution order of the boxing champion. The athlete, 30, from Mashhad in the northeastern region, was taken into custody for participating in nationwide protests in the year 2019 and charged of aiding an resistance movement. He has endured 60 months in detention, where he has been abused and held in isolation. “Athletics is intended to promote optimism, togetherness, and fortitude,” the supporters stated. “The execution of a winner for his political views is a clear violation on these principles and a caution to every athlete who ventures to voice opinions. History of Putting to Death Competitors The letter noted that the boxer's case was part of a pattern and highlighted the nation's history of executing sports champions for their convictions, including a national team leader, leader of the football side, and a volleyball captain, captain of the national women’s volleyball team. In 2020, Navid Afkari, a young Iranian sports titleholder, was put to death. Additional signatories to the letter consist of a yachting pioneer, who captained the inaugural women's squad in a global yacht race and was the first woman to earn a prestigious sailing award; the previous leader of the national squad a sports advocate; and a sports figure, who was in the national team for the international competition. Apprehension and Unfair Trial The boxer was detained in the spring of 2020. The allegations against him comprised “causing deterioration on Earth through fire-setting and ruin of state assets”. His ruling has been annulled multiple times but on 4 October it was confirmed on the third attempt. His court case was condemned as “deeply biased” by advocates and bodies. Call to International Body The urging to stop Vafaei Sani’s capital punishment follows a 2023 statement to the UN high commissioner for freedoms, endorsed by in excess of one hundred human rights experts and groups, urging intervention to prevent the athlete’s capital punishment. Execution Crisis Based on findings, there is an “execution crisis in Iran, which has reached shocking proportions”. In 2023, authorities sentenced at least over 850 people – a 48% rise on 2022. In the prior period, data showed nearly a thousand capital punishments, marking the peak figure since 2015. Over eight hundred people have been sentenced so far in 2025. Activists and dissidents are targets, especially in the aftermath of the 2022 protests. Analysts say the regime have utilized the death penalty to quell opposition, generate fear among the population and strengthen their hold on power.