An Iranian man died of a heart attack, on February 21, after finding out that he would not face the death penalty for a murder committed 18 years ago, according to reports from international media.
Akbar, 55, is a southern Iranian native who was arrested 18 years ago on charges of premeditated murder.
As a result of being “overjoyed” over the fact that the victim’s family granted him clemency and he was no longer facing capital punishment, Akbar suffered a heart attack and died, reports international media.
Akbar was in constant fear of execution because of his murder at the age of 37, according to sources familiar with the case.
Dispute resolution board officials managed to convince his family to pardon him, but he died before being released, the same source reports.
In Iran, death sentences are often commuted after the payment of Diyyeh – a privately arranged settlement between victims’ and perpetrators’ families.
Iranian legal sources estimate that the typical Diyyeh payment is about £83,000 on average, the same source reports.
Judges often try to persuade families to forgive a murderer, even pressuring them to do so when necessary.
It is a common practice to delay the execution of the death sentence several years after the murder was committed so that the family can exercise forgiveness and give the murderer time to pay Diyyeh.
add your comment
Terms of publication : Not to offend the writer, people, sacred things, or attack religions or the divine self, and refrain from racist incitement and insults.