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Over two dozen Olympic medal winners, coaches and other international athletes have signed a appeal urging a end to the death penalty of a champion boxer and trainer, who is facing execution in the country.

Growing International Outrage

During increasing worldwide anger over Iran’s escalating use of executions as a tool of suppression, the strongly worded letter censures the government's ruling to confirm the capital punishment of Mohammad Javad Vafaei Sani.

The boxer, three decades old, from the city in the northern province, was arrested for taking part in countrywide demonstrations in 2019 and accused of supporting an resistance movement. He has spent half a decade in incarceration, where he has been tortured and confined in seclusion.

“Competition is intended to encourage faith, unity, and bravery,” the supporters stated. “The execution of a winner for his opinions is a clear violation on these ideals and a warning to all sportspeople who attempts to express dissent.

Record of Putting to Death Competitors

The letter said that the boxer's situation was not unique and highlighted the country's history of sentencing to death competitors for their convictions, for example a national team leader, leader of the football side, and a volleyball captain, leader of the national women’s volleyball team. In two thousand twenty, Navid Afkari, a young Iranian sports titleholder, faced the death penalty.

Other endorsers to the appeal consist of Tracy Edwards, who captained the inaugural all-female crew in a global yacht race and was the initial female to earn a renowned nautical honor; the ex- captain of the soccer side a sports advocate; and a sports figure, who was in the Iranian squad for the international competition.

Arrest and Unfair Trial

The boxer was taken into custody in March 2020. The accusations against him included “promoting decay on Earth through arson and ruin of state assets”. His sentence has been overturned twice but on 4 October it was confirmed on the third attempt. His court case was criticized as “grossly unfair” by advocates and bodies.

Appeal to International Body

The appeal to stop the boxer's execution comes after a 2023 letter to the UN high commissioner for freedoms, endorsed by in excess of 100 advocates and groups, urging measures to prevent the sports figure's death.

Execution Crisis

Based on findings, there is an “death penalty surge in Iran, which has reached horrific levels”. In 2023, the government sentenced at least 853 people – a forty-eight percent rise on the previous year. The year before, data showed 972 capital punishments, constituting the maximum count since the year 2015. Over hundreds of people have been put to death so far in 2025.

Dissidents and protesters are victims, especially in the aftermath of the the year 2022 protests. Experts say the regime have used the capital punishment to stifle protest, instil fear among the population and tighten their grip on power.