🔗 Share this article Elite Athletes Call on Iran to Stop Execution of Boxing Star Over two dozen Olympic medallists, mentors and additional world-class competitors have endorsed a appeal urging a stop to the death penalty of a boxing titleholder and trainer, who is on death row in Iran. Increasing International Outrage During growing international outrage over the nation's increasing application of the death penalty as a tool of repression, the forcefully phrased appeal condemns the Iranian regime's verdict to maintain the execution order of the boxing champion. Vafaei Sani, thirty, from the city in the northern province, was arrested for taking part in nationwide protests in the year 2019 and accused of supporting an opposition group. He has endured 60 months in prison, where he has been mistreated and confined in solitary confinement. “Sport is designed to inspire faith, togetherness, and bravery,” the signatories stated. “The death penalty of a titleholder for his political views is a direct assault on these principles and a warning to every athlete who ventures to express dissent. History of Killing Competitors The letter pointed out that the boxer's case was not unique and emphasized the country's past of sentencing to death sports champions for their convictions, such as a football captain, captain of the soccer squad, and a women's sports leader, captain of the women's volleyball squad. In the year 2020, Navid Afkari, a 27-year-old Iranian competitor, faced the death penalty. Other endorsers to the appeal include a sailing champion, who captained the first all-female crew in a round-the-world competition and was the pioneering lady to receive a prestigious sailing award; the former skipper of the soccer side an athlete; and a footballer, who was in the country's selection for the 1978 World Cup. Detention and Unfair Trial The boxer was arrested in the spring of 2020. The charges against him entailed “promoting decay on Earth through arson and ruin of state assets”. His ruling has been overturned twice but on the fourth of October it was confirmed on the third attempt. His court case was condemned as “grossly unfair” by human rights activists and groups. Urging to United Nations The urging to halt Vafaei Sani’s capital punishment comes after a previous letter to the UN high commissioner for human rights, backed by more than a hundred advocates and groups, urging action to stop the competitor's execution. Capital Punishment Escalation According to findings, there is an “execution crisis in Iran, which has reached horrific levels”. In 2023, officials put to death at least 853 people – a forty-eight percent increase on the previous year. Last year, records showed nearly a thousand deaths, representing the maximum count since two thousand fifteen. In excess of 800 people have been put to death so far in 2025. Dissidents and protesters are victims, particularly in the aftermath of the 2022 demonstrations. Experts say the Iranian authorities have employed the executions to quell protest, generate fear among the citizenry and reinforce their grip on authority.