Double Child Execution Scheduled for Iran

In the midst of the political unrest and the recent tittering about Ahmadinejad’s religious origins, the more pressing case of child executions has fallen by the way.

Not for the Iranian authorities however, as the execution of Behnood Shojaee (21) and Safar Angooti (18) have been scheduled for October 11 and 21 respectively.

According to the organization Stop Child Executions, Behnood allegedly killed a boy during a street fight in Tehran when he was 17 years old and has been in prison for the last 4 years.

His execution has been scheduled and cancelled 5 times, with all the reports pointed to a stay of execution in his case.

Poignantly, though the family of the murdered boy have relinquished their right to retribution, the courts have decided to go ahead regardless:

The family of the victim had forgiven Behnood and had unequivocally given up their right to retribution (The right of victim’s family under Qisas law) in front of several witnesses namely: Ezzatollah Sahabi, Parviz Parastoui, Sayed Mohammad Mojabi, Dr. Golzari and a few others.

The judges from the 74th provincial criminal court rejected the appeal arguing the verbal retrieval of family’s right to retribution even when it is confirmed by the witness affidavit does not constitute a reasonable ground for appeal and the execution order shall remain in effect. [Source]

For further details on the cases click here; to take action visit Stop Child Executions.