More than 20 current and former Olympic medallists, coaches and international athletes have come together. They are calling on Iran to immediately prevent the execution of Mohammad Javad Vafaei Sani, a 30-year-old boxing champion and coach. The letter has garnered signatures from famous sportswomen including Martina Navratilova and Sharron Davies. It demands the Iranian regime’s highest authorities be held accountable for upholding Vafaei Sani’s death sentence, imposed for his involvement in the nationwide protests of 2019.
Vafaei Sani, who grew up in Mashhad in north-east Iran, was detained in March 2020. Authorities charged him with defending the People’s Mojahedin Organisation of Iran (MEK), an opposition group. His charges include “spreading corruption on Earth through arson and destruction of public property,” a serious allegation that has led to severe consequences.
The Iranian judicial system has rejected Vafaei Sani’s case three times. His death sentence was overturned twice in lower courts before the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the state for a third time on October 4. Though serious, this case quickly became the centerpiece for comment and controversy. It further underscores the alarming climate in Iran, where authorities have not only jailed but executed athletes for their expressions of faith. Habib Khabiri, captain of the Iranian national football team. At the same time, Fourouzan Abdi captains the national women’s volleyball team.
The athletes’ letter echoes the broader implications of Vafaei Sani’s situation. It reaffirms that sports can be a paragon of aspiration and unification.
“Sport is meant to inspire hope, unity, and courage.” – Signatories of the letter
The international sports community’s response is a sign of growing alarm over the egregious pattern of human rights violations ongoing in Iran. The letter calls upon the new far-right government of Iran to immediately withdraw its order and stop the execution of Vafaei Sani.