🔗 Share this article Olympians Call on Iran to Stop Death Sentence of Boxing Champion Over two dozen Olympic champions, mentors and additional world-class competitors have endorsed a statement demanding a stop to the death penalty of a boxing champion and coach, who is sentenced to die in the nation. Increasing International Outrage Amidst increasing worldwide anger over the nation's increasing application of the death penalty as a tool of oppression, the strongly worded letter denounces the Iranian regime's decision to uphold the capital punishment of the athlete. Vafaei Sani, 30, from Mashhad in the northeastern region, was detained for taking part in countrywide demonstrations in 2019 and indicted of supporting an resistance movement. He has endured half a decade in prison, where he has been abused and confined in isolation. “Sport is intended to encourage faith, unity, and bravery,” the supporters wrote. “The capital punishment of a champion for his political views is a direct assault on these values and a caution to any competitor who attempts to express dissent. Pattern of Executing Competitors The appeal pointed out that the athlete's case was part of a pattern and underscored the nation's history of executing athletes for their views, for example a national team leader, skipper of the soccer squad, and a volleyball captain, skipper of the women's volleyball squad. In 2020, a wrestling champion, a 27-year national wrestling champion, faced the death penalty. Additional endorsers to the appeal consist of a sailing champion, who led the inaugural female-only team in a global yacht race and was the first woman to receive a prestigious nautical honor; the previous captain of the national squad a sports advocate; and Bahram Mavaddat, who was in the national team for the international competition. Detention and Unjust Proceedings The boxer was arrested in early 2020. The allegations against him included “spreading corruption on Earth through arson and damage of public property”. His sentence has been reversed on two occasions but on October 4 it was upheld on the third attempt. His trial was criticized as “deeply biased” by advocates and groups. Call to United Nations The urging to stop Vafaei Sani’s execution is subsequent to a earlier letter to the UN high commissioner for rights, backed by over a hundred advocates and groups, demanding measures to stop the sports figure's capital punishment. Death Penalty Surge Based on reports, there is an “capital punishment escalation in the country, which has reached alarming levels”. In the year 2023, the government executed at least over 850 people – a 48% rise on 2022. In the prior period, statistics showed nearly a thousand deaths, constituting the maximum count since two thousand fifteen. More than 800 people have been put to death so far in 2025. Dissidents and protesters are focus, particularly in the aftermath of the the year 2022 uprising. Experts say the government have utilized the executions to quell opposition, create anxiety among the public and tighten their grip on rule.