A sobbing 17-year-old* Alireza Molla-Soltani was publicly hanged at dawn on this date in 2011 in Karaj for slaying an Iranian muscleman.
Yoked: the murder victim, Rouhollah Dadashi.
A powerlifter and bodybuilder who was two-time (2009 and 2010) champion of Iran’s “Strongest Man” competition, Rouhollah Dadashi was stabbed to death during a traffic-related altercation barely two months prior: three youths fled the scene in their ride but were picked up within days, even as thousands thronged the celebrity athlete’s burial.
His murder raised a public outcry. Vainly, Molla-Soltani pleaded that he had knifed Dadashi in fear of his own life. He reportedly broke down crying and begging for mercy under the noose.
Warning: Mature Content. This is not film, but a compilation of the numerous still photographs searchable online of the execution.
* Iranian officials contended that Molla-Soltani had reached maturity with 18 lunar years. A lunar year is 11 days shorter than a solar year.
On this day..
- 1829: David Evans, in Carmarthen - 2020
- 1943: Amos Pampaloni, Captain Corelli's Mandolin inspiration - 2019
- 1397: Richard FitzAlan, Earl of Arundel - 2017
- 1716: Five Mug House rioters - 2016
- 1774: John Reid, James Boswell's first client - 2015
- 2006: Sheikh Zana, Erbil terrorist - 2014
- 1939: Six assassins of Armand Calinescu - 2013
- 1783: Mutinous prisoners of the Swift - 2012
- 2011: Troy Davis, doubts aside - 2011
- 1761: Gabriel Malagrida, Jesuit nutter - 2010
- 1950: Col. Choi Chang-Shik, military engineer - 2009
- 1822: Four Sergeants of La Rochelle - 2008