[gatagato]

The images tell a story of anguish and forgiveness.

The parents of a young man killed in a street fight halt the execution of the convicted killer this week -- seconds before he was to be hanged in front of a large crowd.

It took place in Iran, where hangings are still accepted as a form of public execution.

The semi-official Iranian news agency ISNA identifies the man who was to be hanged as Balal. In 2007, at the age of 19, he killed 17-year-old Abdollah Hosseinzadeh, ISNA reported.

The two got into a street fight, and Balal took out a kitchen knife, stabbing Abdollah. The victim's family believes that Balal did not intend to kill their son, the report said.

ISNA photographer Arash Khamooshi was there when people gathered in the northern city of Noor, near the Caspian Sea in the province of Maznadaran, before dawn.

One of Khamooshi's photos shows Balal's mother, Koukab, sitting on the ground before her son is brought out. "She had no energy left in her," Khamooshi said. She was "resigned to the fact that she was going to lose her son. It was very moving."

Balal emerged. His head was covered, and the noose was placed around his neck. The man was "screaming and praying loudly before he just went silent," Khamooshi told CNN's "Connect the World."

The victim's family came out, and his mother, Maryam Hosseinzadeh, addressed the crowd. She said she's been living a nightmare since she lost her son and couldn't bring herself to forgive the killer, Khamooshi adds.

Then she walked toward Balal and asked for a chair to stand on. She stepped up, slapped Balal and said, "forgiven." She and Abdollah's father took the noose off.

Balal's family rushed over, hugged them and thanked them for what they had done.

"I don't know how I took these pictures," Khamooshi said. "I guess it's the power of the camera that allows you to focus. That's the only reason I didn't break down and cry."
http://edition.cnn.com/2014/04/17/wo...ther-forgives/

Iranian authorities prepare a man identified only as Balal to be hanged in the northern city of Noor this week. Balal was convicted in the stabbing death of 17-year-old Abdollah Hosseinzadeh seven years ago during a street fight.


Balal's mother, Koukab, cries after receiving a phone call from the court informing her that the execution would continue as scheduled the next day.


People gather in Noor to pray for Balal and ask for his forgiveness.


Authorities prepare the noose hours before the execution.


Koukab sits on the ground amongst the crowd before her son was brought out from the prison.


Maryam Hosseinzadeh, mother of the murder victim, walks over to the execution stand.


Balal walks from the prison toward the gallows.


Maryam and Abdulghani Hosseinzadeh, the victim's parents, stand next to the execution platform as Balal is prepared to be hanged.


Maryam Hosseinzadeh, standing on a chair, slaps Balal.


The victim's parents remove the noose from around Balal's neck, saying he is forgiven.


Maryam Hosseinzadeh addresses the crowd after forgiving Balal.


Koukab embraces the victim's mother moments after Balal's life was spared.


Balal's family embraces after the execution was halted.

[invertigo]

A country full of people that all look the same...

[Megamel29]

I would have watched him hang.

[DannyDrama]

I'm sure the same woman would happily condemn whatever kind of muslim she isn't so lets not read too much into it.

[ak74]

in the UK it would been 7 years and let go,, god we are fucking shit here at justice

[Pyramid_Head]

Nice to see some good people exist over there. Though I probably wouldn't have forgiven him.

[icheerthebull]

Originally Posted by Pyramid_Head ↗

Nice to see some good people exist over there. Though I probably wouldn't have forgiven him.

This sort of thing hits me hard. I'm the same as you, I doubt I could forgive. Look up Gordon Wilson. He brings a tear to my eye. Was a loyalist who's daughter was killed in the remeberance day bombings. He was shunned and even had his life threatened by loyalist terrorists because he forgave those who comited the act, a act it should be noted Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness described as unjustifiable and unforgivable (as anyone who is familiar with irish history and the troubles knows that was unheard of). He went on to be a lifelong peace campaigner.

I don't feel worthy to stand in the shadow of women like this women or men like Mr Wilson

[Shakey]

In America they would have killed him anyway.

[cupcake725]

Most amazing story. Full of grace.

[cupcake725]

Originally Posted by Megamel29 ↗

I would have watched him hang.

I don't know the full story. I just read it on CNN. I was so surprised. The convicted mother's anguish - so fucking raw. It killed me.