Iranian Protester Hanged Hours After Prison Wedding Over Phone

Alireza Sepahi, 25, was executed on October 5 in Isfahan Central Prison alongside co-defendant Alireza Raisi. Both men had been sentenced to death in connection with anti-government demonstrations in January.

Sepahi and his fiancée, student activist Mahshad Keshani, 22, had known each other before their arrests. Keshani, who is serving a five-year sentence, initiated an informal wedding ceremony over the phone from within the prison as fears of Sepahi's imminent execution grew. Their fathers participated in the ceremony, with vows read by human rights lawyer Amirsalar Davoudi.

Keshani's family provided a copy of the Quran, saffron rock candy, and a red rose as a traditional dowry. Davoudi recounted that the plan was Keshani's idea, highlighting her courage. When informed of the proposal, Sepahi reportedly cried, and Davoudi noted that even prison officers were moved to tears.

While the ceremony held no legal power to halt the execution, Sepahi had previously faced a scheduled hanging in July but survived after suffering a heart attack. His execution was rescheduled after he regained consciousness.

Following the October 5 hanging, authorities reportedly prevented Sepahi's family from burying him in his hometown. Davoudi condemned the actions of the Iranian regime, stating, "The regime is taking revenge on innocent young people for the humiliation it has suffered internationally."

Human rights groups report that Keshani remains in custody and faces additional security charges. Meanwhile, Maryam Rajavi, president-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, has called for international action to halt executions in Iran and urged U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres to investigate human rights abuses. Rajavi sent a letter ahead of the World Day Against the Death Penalty on October 10, advocating for accountability, investigations, and diplomatic pressure on Tehran.