IRAN: VICTIMS’ FAMILIES MERCY SAVES MORE KILLERS FROM DEATH SENTENCE

May 21, 2014: two more people have escaped death by hanging, after they were pardoned by victims’ families. A murder convict was pardoned at the gallows in Tonkabon, the Etemad daily reported, while the head of Neyshapour prison announced that one of the prisoners was released from his death sentence with the consent of the victim’s family. Ten days ago, the head of Zanjan prison also announced that efforts by officials have led families to consent to forgive seven prisoners.
On May 20, a 40-year old prisoner was hanged in the prison of Mashhad, reported the newspaper Khorasan. The prisoner, who was not identified by name, was convicted of murdering his wife in 2007. At least 15 prisoners convicted of murder have been executed in the prison of Mashhad so far in 2014. (Sources: radiozamaneh.com, 22/05/2014; Iran Human Rights, 22/05/2014)