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Over two dozen Olympic champions, trainers and additional global sports figures have signed a letter calling for a halt to the death penalty of a champion boxer and instructor, who is facing execution in the country.

Increasing Global Anger

Amid growing global condemnation over the country's expanding employment of capital punishment as a tool of oppression, the strongly worded statement condemns the Iranian regime's decision to maintain the death sentence of Mohammad Javad Vafaei Sani.

The boxer, three decades old, from Mashhad in the northern province, was arrested for being involved in countrywide demonstrations in 2019 and charged of aiding an opposition group. He has passed half a decade in prison, where he has been tortured and confined in isolation.

“Sport is intended to inspire hope, togetherness, and bravery,” the supporters wrote. “The execution of a champion for his opinions is a clear violation on these ideals and a caution to all sportspeople who dares to speak out.

Pattern of Putting to Death Sports Figures

The statement noted that the boxer's case was part of a pattern and highlighted the country's record of sentencing to death sports champions for their convictions, such as Habib Khabiri, captain of the football side, and a women's sports leader, skipper of the national women’s volleyball team. In 2020, a wrestling champion, a young Iranian wrestling champion, faced the death penalty.

Further endorsers to the letter comprise a yachting pioneer, who skippered the pioneering female-only team in a round-the-world competition and was the pioneering lady to receive a prestigious sailing award; the former skipper of the Australian football team 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 the spring of 2020. The charges against him included “spreading corruption on Earth through incendiarism and destruction of government belongings”. His sentence has been overturned multiple times but on October 4 it was maintained on the third occasion. His court case was denounced as “grossly unfair” by rights defenders and bodies.

Appeal to UN

The urging to stop the boxer's death sentence follows a 2023 statement to the global human rights chief for rights, signed by more than 100 human rights experts and groups, calling for action to avert the athlete’s death.

Capital Punishment Escalation

According to reports, there is an “capital punishment escalation in the nation, which has achieved alarming dimensions”. In 2023, authorities executed at least over 850 people – a 48% surge on 2022. Last year, data showed nearly a thousand deaths, constituting the peak figure since the year 2015. Over 800 people have been executed so far in 2025.

Activists and protesters are victims, especially in the aftermath of the the year 2022 uprising. Analysts say the government have used the capital punishment to suppress protest, create apprehension among the public and reinforce their grip on rule.