Brief
Iranian protester hanged hours after marrying fiancée via prison phone
Alireza Sepahi, 25, was hanged in Isfahan Central Prison on Oct. 5, just after a phone wedding with his imprisoned fiancée Mahshad Keshani.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Iranian activist Alireza Sepahi, 25, was executed by hanging at dawn on Oct. 5 inside Isfahan Central Prison, hours after he and his fiancée Mahshad Keshani, 22, exchanged vows over a jail phone line, Fox News reported.
What happened
Sepahi and Keshani, both arrested during anti‑government demonstrations at Isfahan’s Alikhali Square on Jan. 8, were sentenced to death. On the morning of Oct. 5, after a brief ceremony facilitated by human‑rights lawyer Amirsalar Davoudi, prison officials carried out the execution. Sepahi was hanged alongside co‑defendant Alireza Raisi.
What the report adds
The article notes that Sepahi had survived a scheduled hanging in July after suffering a heart attack en route to the gallows; the execution was postponed until he recovered. The phone ceremony included both fathers, with Keshani’s family providing a copy of the Quran, saffron rock candy and a single red rose as a traditional dowry. Davoudi read the vows and later recalled the emotional moment, saying prison officers began to cry.
What was said
Davoudi told The Times, "It was Mahshad’s idea," and added, "Even now, I wonder how one young woman can possess such courage." He also warned Keshani, "My dear, you understand that this cannot simply be undone?" to which she replied, "Mr Davoudi, I love Alireza."
How it came about
The execution follows months of anti‑regime protests in Isfahan that led to mass arrests and death sentences for participants. Sepahi’s earlier heart attack and postponed hanging illustrate the regime’s use of capital punishment as a deterrent against dissent.
Key facts
- Alireza Sepahi, 25, was hanged on Oct. 5 in Isfahan Central Prison. (foxnews.com)
- He married fiancée Mahshad Keshani, 22, via a prison phone line hours before his execution. (foxnews.com)
- Human‑rights lawyer Amirsalar Davoudi facilitated the ceremony and read the vows. (foxnews.com)
- Sepahi had previously survived a scheduled hanging in July after a heart attack. (foxnews.com)
- The execution was carried out alongside co‑defendant Alireza Raisi. (foxnews.com)
Sources
- [1] foxnews.com — originally reported as “Iranian protester hanged hours after marrying his imprisoned fiancée over jail phone line”
