🔗 Share this article Sports Champions Appeal on Iranian Authorities to Halt Execution of Boxing Champion More than two dozen Olympic champions, mentors and other world-class competitors have endorsed a letter demanding a end to the execution of a boxing titleholder and instructor, who is on death row in Iran. Increasing International Outrage During growing global condemnation over Iran’s escalating use of capital punishment as a means of repression, the forcefully phrased statement censures the government's ruling to maintain the capital punishment of Mohammad Javad Vafaei Sani. The boxer, 30, from the city in the northern province, was taken into custody for being involved in national uprisings in two thousand nineteen and accused of aiding an dissident organization. He has passed 60 months in prison, where he has been tortured and held in solitary confinement. “Athletics is meant to inspire optimism, unity, and courage,” the signatories stated. “The capital punishment of a champion for his political views is a direct assault on these ideals and a admonition to any competitor who ventures to express dissent. Record of Killing Athletes The letter said that the boxer's circumstances was part of a pattern and highlighted the country's past of putting to death athletes for their views, for example Habib Khabiri, leader of the football side, and Fourouzan Abdi, leader of the female volleyball side. In two thousand twenty, an athlete, a 27-year-old national sports titleholder, was put to death. Additional endorsers to the letter comprise Tracy Edwards, who skippered the inaugural women's squad in a round-the-world competition and was the initial female to be awarded a renowned yachting trophy; the previous skipper of the national squad a sports advocate; and Bahram Mavaddat, who was in the Iranian squad for the global tournament. Apprehension and Unfair Trial The boxer was detained in the spring of 2020. The allegations against him included “promoting decay on Earth through fire-setting and destruction of state assets”. His ruling has been annulled twice but on 4 October it was maintained on the latest review. His court case was condemned as “grossly unfair” by human rights activists and groups. Appeal to UN The call to prevent the boxer's death sentence is subsequent to a earlier letter to the UN high commissioner for human rights, endorsed by more than one hundred human rights experts and organizations, urging action to stop the competitor's death. Capital Punishment Escalation Based on reports, there is an “capital punishment escalation in Iran, which has attained alarming levels”. In two thousand twenty-three, authorities put to death at least over 850 people – a 48% increase on the previous year. In the prior period, data showed nine hundred seventy-two capital punishments, marking the highest number since 2015. In excess of 800 people have been executed so far in 2025. Activists and dissidents are targets, particularly in the wake of the 2022's protests. Specialists say the government have used the death penalty to suppress protest, create anxiety among the public and tighten their grip on authority.