🔗 Share this article Olympians Urge on Iran to Stop Execution of Boxing Star More than twenty Olympic champions, trainers and other world-class competitors have signed a appeal urging a stop to the death penalty of a boxing titleholder and coach, who is sentenced to die in Iran. Increasing Worldwide Condemnation During rising worldwide anger over the country's escalating use of executions as a tool of repression, the forcefully phrased statement denounces the government's verdict to uphold the capital punishment of Mohammad Javad Vafaei Sani. Vafaei Sani, 30, from the city in north-east Iran, was detained for taking part in countrywide demonstrations in 2019 and accused of aiding an resistance movement. He has passed five years in prison, where he has been tortured and confined in solitary confinement. “Sport is meant to inspire faith, togetherness, and fortitude,” the signatories wrote. “The execution of a winner for his beliefs is a direct assault on these principles and a caution to any competitor who dares to speak out. Record of Putting to Death Athletes The letter noted that the athlete's circumstances was not an isolated one and underscored Iran’s past of putting to death athletes for their convictions, such as a national team leader, skipper of the soccer squad, and Fourouzan Abdi, skipper of the female volleyball side. In 2020, a wrestling champion, a 27-year-old national wrestling champion, was put to death. Further signatories to the statement consist of a yachting pioneer, who skippered the pioneering women's squad in a international sailing event and was the first woman to be awarded a prestigious nautical honor; the ex- captain of the soccer side an athlete; and a sports figure, who was in the country's selection for the international competition. Arrest and Unfair Trial The boxer was taken into custody in the spring of 2020. The charges against him comprised “promoting decay on Earth through fire-setting and destruction of public property”. His ruling has been reversed multiple times but on October 4 it was confirmed on the latest review. His trial was denounced as “highly unjust” by advocates and groups. Urging to UN The call to halt the athlete's death sentence is subsequent to a earlier appeal to the UN high commissioner for human rights, endorsed by over one hundred rights specialists and organizations, urging measures to prevent the sports figure's capital punishment. Capital Punishment Escalation As per reports, there is an “capital punishment escalation in Iran, which has attained horrific proportions”. In two thousand twenty-three, the government sentenced at least over 850 people – a forty-eight percent rise on 2022. Last year, records showed 972 executions, representing the highest number since the year 2015. Over hundreds of people have been sentenced so far in 2025. Political prisoners and protesters are victims, notably in the aftermath of the 2022 demonstrations. Experts say the government have utilized the executions to quell dissent, create apprehension among the population and reinforce their grip on rule.