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More than two dozen Olympic medallists, mentors and further international athletes have signed a letter urging a end to the capital punishment of a boxing titleholder and instructor, who is facing execution in Iran.

Growing International Outrage

Amidst growing global condemnation over Iran’s escalating use of the death penalty as a means of repression, the forcefully phrased appeal condemns the Iranian regime's decision to maintain the death sentence of Mohammad Javad Vafaei Sani.

The athlete, 30, from Mashhad in the northern province, was taken into custody for being involved in national uprisings in the year 2019 and indicted of backing an opposition group. He has endured five years in incarceration, where he has been tortured and held in solitary confinement.

“Competition is meant to inspire faith, solidarity, and courage,” the supporters wrote. “The death penalty of a champion for his beliefs is a direct assault on these values and a warning to all sportspeople who ventures to speak out.

History of Killing Competitors

The letter pointed out that Vafaei Sani’s circumstances was not unique and underscored the nation's record of putting to death competitors for their views, such as a football captain, leader of the football side, and a volleyball captain, skipper of the female volleyball side. In the year 2020, an athlete, a 27-year Iranian sports titleholder, was put to death.

Other endorsers to the letter consist of a yachting pioneer, who captained the first women's squad in a international sailing event and was the first woman to earn a renowned yachting trophy; the former skipper of the national squad Craig Foster; and a sports figure, who was in the country's selection for the international competition.

Apprehension and Flawed Legal Process

The athlete was taken into custody in March 2020. The charges against him entailed “promoting decay on Earth through arson and ruin of public property”. His verdict has been annulled on two occasions but on 4 October it was maintained on the third occasion. His legal proceedings was condemned as “highly unjust” by human rights activists and groups.

Call to International Body

The urging to prevent Vafaei Sani’s death sentence is subsequent to a earlier letter to the United Nations official for human rights, backed by more than one hundred rights specialists and groups, urging measures to stop the athlete’s execution.

Death Penalty Surge

Based on findings, there is an “death penalty surge in Iran, which has reached shocking dimensions”. In the year 2023, officials executed at least over 850 people – a forty-eight percent increase on 2022. In the prior period, records showed nine hundred seventy-two executions, marking the highest number since the year 2015. More than eight hundred people have been executed so far in 2025.

Political prisoners and protesters are targets, especially in the wake of the 2022's demonstrations. Analysts say the Iranian authorities have used the death penalty to stifle dissent, instil apprehension among the population and strengthen their hold on authority.