In recent days, amidst political news and analyses, one news has captured the attention of the public both inside and outside the country more than ever before. “The revival of a person sentenced to death one day after the execution” was a headline that appeared in many newspapers.

After decades of carrying out executions in the country, for the first time, this incident has affected people’s minds. Many see it as a second chance given by God to the condemned person to live, while others see it as negligence on the part of the overseeing judge in not fully following the execution ceremony protocols. This incident has become a serious topic in recent days, appearing in newspapers and among many people, including my fellow inmates in Evin Prison’s Ward 350. Those who believe that this incident only occurred due to the judge’s negligence and emphasize on the need for a re-trial, are facing a legal vacuum in this matter. The law does not explicitly address the issue of re-execution, and in such cases, the interpretation should be in favor of the accused, which in this case could mean the non-repetition of the execution.

It should be added that if we accept that the negligence of the executioners has occurred, the convicted person is also considered as the plaintiff; because he was only sentenced to execution once and the certificate of the legal medical representative present at the scene supports this fact that after the execution and enduring the pain and suffering of hanging from the gallows, the convicted person was medically confirmed to have no vital signs that confirm his death. However, the re-execution of the sentence, meaning the re-imposition of the same suffering on a person who has only been sentenced to endure it once in court, and as a result, the negligence of the overseeing judge in the manner of execution, also gives the accused the right to demand clarification from the competent court before insisting on the re-execution of the sentence.

But if we look at the subject from a different angle, like many others, and consider all these events as signs of the grace, forgiveness, and mercy of the Almighty God, the course of events will take a different turn. In a situation where every day in the media and newspapers of the country we hear about the mercy and miracles of God, why shouldn’t we consider this event as an opportunity for the Creator to once again bestow upon one of His servants? And why shouldn’t we consider all the issues that have occurred, from the process of carrying out the execution sentence (which has been unprecedented in the country for over thirty years) to the attention of the person in charge of the morgue to cover the body of the executed person with plastic, as a sign of divine forgiveness?

Regarding those individuals who consider the complete observance of justice and laws in the execution of the death sentence, with a little contemplation, they will also come to the conclusion that in fact, justice has been observed in this matter and the laws have been enforced. Firstly, if we look at the impact of public execution on public opinion, the reality is that those present at the scene witnessed the complete execution of the death sentence and the condemned giving up their lives on the gallows, thus ensuring the certainty and seriousness of the judicial system in punishing the condemned. Secondly, if we consider the preservation of the life of the condemned, which is the intention of the legislator in the death sentence, the condemned has already lost their life once, as confirmed by the legal medical representative.

At the end, it must be kept in mind that after years of implementing heavy punishments such as execution, which unfortunately not only did not help reduce crimes but also led to the neutralization of crimes, now is the best time to test alternative methods to execution. If God has forgiven the condemned, we too can show mercy and forgiveness by taking advantage of His compassion and mercy. May this time be a witness to a greater achievement than the past.