An Iranian anti-regime protester, 25-year-old Alireza Sepahi, was executed by hanging on Monday morning, mere hours after he married his fiancee, Mahshad Keshani, during an informal ceremony conducted over a prison telephone line. Both individuals had been arrested earlier this year during anti-government protests in the country. While Sepahi was sentenced to death, Keshani is currently serving a five-year prison term.
With indications that Sepahi’s execution was imminent, Keshani initiated the wedding plan to formalize their bond before it was too late. Human rights lawyer Amirsalar Davoudi facilitated the proceedings, reading vows for the couple’s fathers, who participated from inside Isfahan prison. According to Mr. Davoudi, the dowry provided by Keshani’s family consisted of a Quran, a single red rose, and saffron rock candy. The lawyer described the atmosphere during the call as deeply emotional, noting that even the prison officers were moved to tears as the couple exchanged vows.
Sepahi was among 12 individuals accused of involvement in the deaths of four security personnel during protests at Isfahan's Alikhani Square on January 8. Human rights organizations have alleged that the defendants in the case were subjected to torture and forced to provide confessions. Prior to his final execution, Sepahi had narrowly escaped death in July after suffering a heart attack on his way to the gallows, which resulted in a coma; authorities rescheduled the hanging after he regained consciousness.
Following the execution, reports indicate that Sepahi’s family was denied the right to bury him in his hometown. Mr. Davoudi criticized the authorities' actions, labeling the executions as acts of revenge. The Alikhani Square site, where the protests occurred, has previously been used for the public execution of protesters, an action that has faced persistent condemnation from international rights advocates.
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