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More than 20 Olympic champions, mentors and other world-class competitors have signed a statement urging a stop to the capital punishment of a champion boxer and trainer, who is facing execution in the country.

Growing International Outrage

Amid rising international outrage over the country's increasing application of the death penalty as a means of oppression, the powerfully expressed statement censures the Iranian regime's verdict to maintain the execution order of Mohammad Javad Vafaei Sani.

The boxer, thirty, from the city in the northeastern region, was detained for participating in nationwide protests in the year 2019 and accused of backing an resistance movement. He has endured half a decade in prison, where he has been mistreated and held in isolation.

“Athletics is designed to inspire optimism, unity, and fortitude,” the endorsers wrote. “The capital punishment of a champion for his opinions is a clear violation on these values and a admonition to every athlete who ventures to speak out.

Record of Killing Competitors

The letter noted that the boxer's case was not unique and underscored Iran’s history of putting to death sports champions for their convictions, for example a national team leader, leader of the soccer squad, and Fourouzan Abdi, captain of the women's volleyball squad. In two thousand twenty, a wrestling champion, a 27-year-old Iranian wrestling champion, was also executed.

Additional signatories to the appeal include a sailing champion, who captained the inaugural female-only team in a global yacht race and was the pioneering lady to be awarded a prestigious yachting trophy; the previous captain of the soccer side an athlete; and a sports figure, who was in the country's selection for the international competition.

Detention and Flawed Legal Process

The athlete was taken into custody in March 2020. The accusations against him comprised “causing deterioration on Earth through fire-setting and damage of government belongings”. His verdict has been annulled multiple times but on October 4 it was maintained on the third attempt. His trial was criticized as “deeply biased” by advocates and bodies.

Call to International Body

The urging to stop the athlete's death sentence comes after a earlier appeal to the UN high commissioner for human rights, signed by over 100 rights specialists and entities, demanding measures to avert the sports figure's death.

Death Penalty Surge

As per findings, there is an “death penalty surge in the nation, which has reached alarming dimensions”. In the year 2023, officials put to death at least eight hundred fifty-three people – a forty-eight percent surge on the previous year. In the prior period, data showed 972 capital punishments, representing the highest number since two thousand fifteen. Over 800 people have been executed so far in 2025.

Political prisoners and opponents are victims, especially in the aftermath of the 2022's uprising. Experts say the Iranian authorities have used the executions to quell protest, create anxiety among the public and reinforce their control on power.