🔗 Share this article

Over twenty Olympic champions, mentors and additional global sports figures have put their names to a letter demanding a end to the capital punishment of a boxing titleholder and instructor, who is sentenced to die in the nation.

Escalating Global Anger

Amidst growing international outrage over Iran’s escalating use of the death penalty as a means of oppression, the strongly worded statement denounces the government's verdict to confirm the death sentence of Mohammad Javad Vafaei Sani.

The boxer, three decades old, from the city in north-east Iran, was arrested for taking part in national uprisings in the year 2019 and indicted of backing an opposition group. He has spent five years in detention, where he has been mistreated and confined in solitary confinement.

“Competition is designed to inspire hope, solidarity, and fortitude,” the supporters wrote. “The death penalty of a winner for his opinions is a clear violation on these ideals and a warning to any competitor who ventures to speak out.

History of Killing Sports Figures

The letter said that the boxer's circumstances was not an isolated one and emphasized the country's past of putting to death competitors for their views, including a national team leader, leader of the national football team, and a volleyball captain, skipper of the female volleyball side. In 2020, Navid Afkari, a 27-year-old Iranian wrestling champion, faced the death penalty.

Other signatories to the statement comprise a sailing champion, who skippered the inaugural female-only team in a round-the-world competition and was the first woman to be awarded a esteemed yachting trophy; the previous leader of the Australian football team Craig Foster; and a sports figure, who was in the country's selection for the international competition.

Apprehension and Unfair Trial

Vafaei Sani was arrested in early 2020. The allegations against him entailed “causing deterioration on Earth through fire-setting and destruction of state assets”. His sentence has been reversed twice but on 4 October it was maintained on the latest review. His trial was criticized as “grossly unfair” by advocates and organizations.

Appeal to UN

The urging to halt Vafaei Sani’s capital punishment is subsequent to a 2023 letter to the UN high commissioner for rights, backed by more than a hundred advocates and entities, demanding intervention to stop the athlete’s death.

Death Penalty Surge

As per reports, there is an “death penalty surge in Iran, which has achieved alarming proportions”. In 2023, authorities put to death at least 853 people – a forty-eight percent surge on 2022. The year before, statistics 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 the current year.

Political prisoners and protesters are focus, especially in the aftermath of the 2022's protests. Specialists say the regime have utilized the death penalty to suppress opposition, instil anxiety among the citizenry and reinforce their hold on power.