British lawmakers, world-renowned athletes, human rights advocates, and political leaders across Europe, North America, and the Middle East have rallied behind Iranian boxing champion and political prisoner Mohammad Javad Vafaei Sani. His 2026 Magnitsky Award has intensified international calls to prevent his execution and end the Iranian regime’s use of capital punishment against political opponents.
An expanding international campaign to save Mohammad Javad Vafaei Sani has brought together prominent figures from politics, sports, human rights organizations, and civil society. The campaign reached the British House of Commons on November 12, 2026, where lawmakers condemned the growing wave of executions in Iran and demanded government action to prevent the Iranian boxing champion’s execution.
Vafaei Sani, a 30-year-old boxing champion and coach, has been sentenced to death for his participation in the November 2019 nationwide protests and support for the democratic opposition. His selection as the recipient of the 2026 Magnitsky Award for Outstanding Human Rights Activist has further amplified international attention to his case.
The award was presented in absentia in London by the Global Magnitsky Justice Campaign, as Vafaei Sani remains imprisoned on death row in Iran.
UK House of Commons raises the alarm over political executions
During a House of Commons session on November 12, Conservative MP Bob Blackman, chairman of the British Committee for Iran Freedom and the 1922 Committee, announced that he would present the Magnitsky Award to Vafaei Sani.
Blackman told Parliament:
“Unfortunately, the execution of political prisoners in Iran is a frequent occurrence. Indeed, Iran is the centre of executions of people who just want to stand up for their human rights.”
He explained that Vafaei Sani had spent six years in prison because of his participation in the 2019 protests and was now facing execution simply for being a political protester.
Blackman asked the government to explain what measures it would take to prevent Vafaei Sani’s execution and address the death sentences imposed on other political prisoners in Iran.
Sir Alan Campbell, the government’s Deputy Leader of the House, responded by describing the growing wave of executions of political prisoners in Iran as a matter of “deep revulsion.”
He emphasized that the British government opposed the death penalty under all circumstances and stated:
“The high numbers of executions in Iran are a deliberate and conscious attempt to spread fear and silence critics and opponents.”
Campbell agreed that Blackman was right to challenge the situation and promised to raise his specific concerns with the Foreign Office and obtain a response.
The parliamentary intervention placed the issue directly before the British government, making clear that international concern must translate into concrete action.
International political leaders and parliamentarians stand with Vafaei Sani
The campaign has attracted support from political figures across several countries.
Melissa Lantsman, Canadian parliamentarian, expressed her hope that Vafaei Sani would one day be able to accept his award in person.
She wrote:
“One day Mohammad Javad Vafaei Sani will stand, free and accept this honour in person. Until that day, Canada and the west must support him and demand the release of every political prisoner on death row in Iran.”
She described his courage as an undeniable source of inspiration and a powerful symbol of resistance against the regime’s brutal and unrelenting oppression.
Giulio Terzi, Italian senator and former foreign minister, highlighted Vafaei Sani’s background as an Iranian martial arts and boxing champion and coach. He pointed out that the athlete was now on death row for participating in anti-government protests and supporting the democratic opposition.
Petras Auštrevičius, Member of the European Parliament, also called attention to the case, writing:
“Iranian regime continues its brutal policies and uses death sentences against Mullahs’ opposition.”
He identified Vafaei Sani as the 2026 Magnitsky Award laureate and called for an end to executions, using the hashtag #FreeJavadVafeiSani.
Guy Verhofstadt, former Belgian prime minister, also highlighted the award and Vafaei Sani’s political imprisonment, identifying him as a member of the MEK who faces execution in Iran.
Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), emphasized that the award represented support for all political prisoners in Iran.
She wrote:
“The ‘Outstanding Human Rights Activist’ award presented to Mohammad Javad Vafaei Sani represents support for all political prisoners in Iran.”
Rajavi stressed that under both monarchical and religious dictatorships, Iranian youth have paid the ultimate price for freedom through torture and execution, yet their struggle for a democratic republic remains unwavering.
“They deserve the world’s solidarity and support,” she concluded.
Steve McCabe, British Labour MP, also drew attention to the parliamentary discussion, thanking those who had raised the issue. In his post, he specifically thanked Lord Bruce for raising the case of Mohammad Javad Vafaei Sani, describing him as an Iranian boxing champion, political prisoner, and Magnitsky Award winner sentenced to death for participating in protests.
World-renowned athletes call for his life to be spared
The international sporting community has played a particularly prominent role in the campaign.
Vitali Klitschko, former world heavyweight boxing champion and mayor of Kyiv, has appealed for Vafaei Sani’s life, joining a growing number of sporting figures who have condemned the prospect of executing an athlete for his political convictions.
Sharron Davies, British Olympic medalist, has repeatedly raised his case. In one of her messages, she wrote:
“This poor man has been on death row for years in Iran, & had his execution cancelled twice, all because he speaks out against an evil regime who controls with tyranny, fear & murder of its own people.”
Davies has also called for urgent international attention, warning that time is running short for the young athlete.
Martina Navratilova, former world No. 1 tennis player, has also joined the international appeals to save his life.
Tracy Edwards, renowned round-the-world sailor, has been particularly vocal in her support. Announcing the award presentation, she wrote:
“Later this evening, Iranian boxing champion Mohammad Javad Vafaei Sani, who faces imminent execution for his pro-democracy activities, will be presented with the 2026 Magnitsky Award for Outstanding Human Rights Activist.”
Edwards explained that the award would be presented in absentia in London by the Global Magnitsky Justice Campaign.
In another message, she reflected on the courage of the Iranian boxer, writing:
“I know about courage, but the courage of Iranian boxer facing execution for political beliefs is of entirely different order.”
Her statements have helped bring the case to the attention of the international sporting community.
The Washington Times Sports account also highlighted the award, reporting that the Iranian boxer would not be able to attend the London ceremony because he remained on death row for protesting against the government.
Pepper Moirraine further amplified the story by sharing Fox News’ OutKick Sports report, titled “Iranian boxer on death row wins human rights award as athletes push to save his life.”
The WSU Sports Union was also referenced in the international campaign surrounding the award and the efforts to save Vafaei Sani.
Human rights advocates and international campaigners demand an end to executions
Beyond political leaders and athletes, numerous human rights advocates and civil society figures have called for urgent intervention.
Dr. David R. Boyd, who posted under the account @EnvirOptimist, congratulated Vafaei Sani on his recognition and called on the Iranian authorities to commute his sentence, release him, and terminate the use of the death penalty against political prisoners.
He concluded his message with an appeal for freedom of expression.
Maude Barlow, Canadian author and human rights advocate, also urged people to spread the news, writing:
“This brave man is scheduled for execution by the Iranian government. Please pass this on! So many young people being lost for their courage.”
Serrao Santos, posting under @RSerraoSantos, described the case as another issue weighing heavily on the Iranian regime. In a translated post, Santos emphasized that opposition to the regime’s repression did not justify war but did justify regime change.
Antonio Stango, Italian human rights advocate, shared a message from Vafaei Sani himself, highlighting his declaration from death row:
“I accept the Magnitsky Award on behalf of the Resistance Units of Iran.”
This message connected the international recognition of Vafaei Sani with the wider resistance movement inside Iran.
Dorien Rookmaker, a former Member of the European Parliament, also urged her followers to support the campaign. She described Vafaei Sani as a 30-year-old Iranian boxing champion and political prisoner facing the death penalty and called on people to share the Global Magnitsky Justice Campaign’s appeal.
She wrote:
“I support the resistance against executions in Iran, which is why I want to help spread this post.”
Rookmaker encouraged her followers to repost the appeal or leave a message of support, stressing that every effort to spread awareness could help the campaign against executions in Iran.
Hanan Abdullatif, an Iraqi human rights advocate, published an Arabic-language appeal urging people to support and publicize the case of the Iranian boxing champion. She emphasized that the Magnitsky Award recognized his outstanding humanitarian and human rights contributions in defending the Iranian people’s rights, for which he had paid the price through imprisonment and a death sentence.
She added that the recognition brought international attention to his case and sent a powerful message of solidarity with him and everyone resisting the Iranian regime’s repression.
International media and commentators amplify the campaign
The campaign has also received attention through international media and political commentary.
The German-language publication Cicero highlighted Vafaei Sani’s case in a post reporting that the Iranian boxer had been imprisoned for seven years and had received the international Magnitsky Human Rights Award.
The publication shared a contribution by guest author Martin Patzelt, who called on Germany to advocate for the imprisoned athlete.
The award itself is named after Sergei Magnitsky, the Russian lawyer who died in prison in 2009 after exposing a major government-related fraud. The annual Magnitsky Human Rights Awards recognize individuals who demonstrate exceptional courage in defending human rights and exposing injustice.
The international campaign has also received attention from Leopoldo Maldonado, the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression, who reportedly undertook a 24-hour hunger strike in solidarity with Vafaei Sani and the campaign to prevent his execution.
A political prisoner who has endured repeated death sentences
Mohammad Javad Vafaei Sani was arrested in Mashhad in 2020 following his participation in the nationwide protests of November 2019. The Iranian regime accused him of membership in the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) and charged him with “corruption on earth.”
He was sentenced to death following judicial proceedings widely condemned for their serious violations of due process.
His death sentence was overturned twice by Iran’s Supreme Court. However, the judiciary imposed a third death sentence in September 2024, which was upheld in October 2025.
During his imprisonment, Vafaei Sani has reportedly endured severe physical and psychological torture, prolonged solitary confinement, and repeated threats of execution.
His case has become a symbol of the regime’s treatment of political opponents, particularly young people who participated in the nationwide protests and support the democratic opposition.
The 2026 Magnitsky Award has brought further international recognition to his struggle, but the threat to his life remains.
International solidarity must translate into action
The breadth of support for Mohammad Javad Vafaei Sani is significant. British parliamentarians, Canadian lawmakers, European political figures, Olympic athletes, world champions, human rights advocates, journalists, and civil society campaigners have all helped bring his case to international attention.
Their messages differ in their backgrounds and political perspectives, but they converge on one essential demand: Vafaei Sani must not be executed for his political convictions.
His dedication of the Magnitsky Award to Iran’s Resistance Units also underscores that his struggle is part of a broader movement for freedom and democratic change.
As the British House of Commons discussion demonstrated, the international community cannot limit itself to expressions of concern. The UK government and other democratic governments must use their diplomatic and political influence to demand the cancellation of his death sentence, his immediate release, and an end to the execution of political prisoners in Iran.
Saving Mohammad Javad Vafaei Sani’s life is not simply about protecting one courageous athlete. It is also about defending the fundamental right of an entire people to oppose dictatorship without facing torture, imprisonment, or execution.