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Iranian boxer on death row wins human rights prize and vows to resist oppression
Imprisoned Iranian boxing champion Mohammad Javad Vafaei Sani has received the Magnitsky award for human rights while facing execution. In a message from prison, he stated that he will never surrender to the regime.
Mohammad Javad Vafaei Sani, a 31-year-old boxing champion and coach detained in Iran, has been sentenced to death three times following his arrest during democracy protests in 2019. From Vakilabad prison, he accepted the prestigious Magnitsky award for outstanding human rights activism, dedicating it to those fighting for a free Iran. His case highlights the precarious situation of athletes and political prisoners in Iran, with human rights organisations warning that seven athletes currently face execution. Supporters emphasize that international attention helps protect detainees by bringing visibility to their plight.
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