In Iran, Sina Paymand, now 18 years old, sentenced to death for a crime committed when he was 16, could be executed in the next few hours. This was denounced today by Amnesty international, according to which the execution of Paymand would be "a sensational breach of international law, a morally unjustifiable and revolting action": "The Iranian government states the organisation must immediately suspend it". An earlier date of execution, September 20th 2006, had been cancelled at the very last minute by a decision of the victim’s family. According to the news, Paymand, a rope already around his neck and a hood on his head, had expressed the wish to play his flute for the last time. Before the beauty of his music, the victim’s family had been moved to tears and had asked that the execution be cancelled. According to Iranian law, the victims’ families can forgive the murderer and accept compensation in cash. Unfortunately, Paymand’s family cannot pay such compensation, which amounts to about 160,000 US dollars. Iran has one of the highest numbers of executions. Since January, Amnesty has already recorded 124, and it is estimated that this year’s number will exceed the 177 executions of 2006. This year, in Iran, another two people who were under age at the time of the crime have been sentenced to death.” ” ” “
