Sports Champions Appeal on Iran to Prevent Death Sentence of Boxing Champion
More than 20 Olympic champions, coaches and other world-class competitors have put their names to a statement calling for a halt to the capital punishment of a boxing titleholder and coach, who is on death row in Iran.
Increasing Global Anger
Amid increasing worldwide anger over Iran’s expanding employment of capital punishment as a tool of suppression, the powerfully expressed letter denounces the government's ruling to confirm the death sentence of Mohammad Javad Vafaei Sani.
The athlete, three decades old, from Mashhad in the northern province, was arrested for participating in countrywide demonstrations in 2019 and charged of aiding an dissident organization. He has spent five years in prison, where he has been mistreated and kept in isolation.
“Sport is designed to encourage faith, togetherness, and bravery,” the endorsers stated. “The execution of a champion for his opinions is a direct assault on these ideals and a admonition to every athlete who dares to voice opinions.
History of Putting to Death Athletes
The appeal noted that the athlete's case was not an isolated one and underscored the nation's record of executing sports champions for their convictions, including Habib Khabiri, leader of the national football team, and a women's sports leader, leader of the national women’s volleyball team. In 2020, a wrestling champion, a 27-year Iranian sports titleholder, faced the death penalty.
Other signatories to the statement consist of a sailing champion, who skippered the first women's squad in a global yacht race and was the initial female to be awarded a renowned yachting trophy; the former leader of the Australian football team an athlete; and a sports figure, who was in the country's selection for the international competition.
Apprehension and Unfair Trial
Vafaei Sani was taken into custody in the spring of 2020. The allegations against him comprised “promoting decay on Earth through incendiarism and destruction of state assets”. His ruling has been annulled twice but on the fourth of October it was confirmed on the third occasion. His trial was condemned as “highly unjust” by rights defenders and bodies.
Appeal to United Nations
The urging to prevent Vafaei Sani’s death sentence follows a 2023 letter to the UN high commissioner for human rights, backed by over 100 rights specialists and organizations, calling for action to stop the competitor's execution.
Death Penalty Surge
According to reports, there is an “capital punishment escalation in the country, which has attained horrific dimensions”. In 2023, the government sentenced at least over 850 people – a nearly half rise on 2022. Last year, records showed 972 deaths, marking the peak figure since 2015. In excess of hundreds of people have been put to death so far in 2025.
Activists and opponents are targets, especially in the wake of the 2022's demonstrations. Specialists say the Iranian authorities have utilized the death penalty to suppress opposition, instil fear among the citizenry and strengthen their hold on authority.
