I read that at the Tehran park public haning, the most of the 300 watchers are the 2 guys' friends and relatives.

Interesting stat,Yolanda. Thanks.

Ari, that is so interesting. I was so ashamed to see the people in Sabzevar go and fill a sports stadium to watch the public hanging there. Most of us tend to think that the reason Iranians are going to watch what I regard as state-committed-murder of its own citizens is that Iranians are exposed to a lot of violence by the police and other pious government officials on a daily basis. I was so distraught, I turned to my son and asked him why he thinks people go to watch another human being be deemed "unfit for redemption, correction, or rehabilitation" by the government and deserving to be murdered in public. He basically said what you said--that human beings like to watch death, because it brings them face to face with their own worst fears. 

I am against capital punishment. I am particularly against capital punishment for young people. I am devastated that two petty thieves who stole the equiivalent of a couple of hundred dollars, if that, would receive the death penalty in a judicial system that would let its embezzlers and crooks steal billions with impunity. It all boils down to our lack of respect and trust for the Iranian Judiciary because of the political and security-related decisions that they make, not in the interest of justice, but in the interest of the ruling few.

Thanks for the, as usual, thought-provoking piece. I do miss you very much! 

Any place, public hanging can attract a big crowd, not just in Iran ... your point is very valid and your examples very clear. Thanks for reminding us that "the dark side" doesn't belong to us Iranians alone.

Thanksfor the feedback, Nazy (and thoughtufl son). I too was shocked by the death sentence for theft and was fuming at how the Judiciary sidestepped even the Islamic "eye for an eye" precedent to arrive at the death sentence. The charge, as you know, was mohaarebeh. It wasn't the crime per se but that the  action of these two young men had threatened the public sense of security under the IRI, which is the representative of God on Earth.  So any action--crime, protest, criticism-- or any non-action--failure to show support-- that is perceived as a threat to the power structure leads to the state murder of the offending Iranian citizen.

I read that the Larijani brother, the one with turban/glasses/hunchback, personally sentenced the 2 muggers to hanging!

I agree.  Just remember that in the old days in the U.S., public lynchings of African Americans were considered family affairs where people brought their chidlren and picnic baskets and then posed for photos with the dangling corps.  It's the dark side of humanity.  The problem with the IR is that it ENCOURAGES and feeds into this dark energy.   

http://www.capitalpunishmentuk.org/endpublic.html

AO, given the 12+ million head count  in Tehran and the IRI's heavy advertising of the event leading up to the execution date, only 300 people showing up is admirable. In fact it is astounding when you consider Yolanda's statement that many of those present were friends and relatives of the two victims. Based on this number I conjecture that the Iranian population is on to the IRI's tricks and interpret the low turnout as an act of resistance.

Firedup, your link goes to an error page on my browser. Is there another link to the content you wish to share?

I read in New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/21/world/middleeast/iran-resorts-to-hangings-in-public-to-cut-crime.html?pagewanted=1&_r=0

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"On Sunday, the two condemned men, Alireza Mafiha, 23, and Mohammad Ali Sarvari, 20, stood before the onlookers, many of whom said they were family members and friends.

“They have shaved his hair,” said one young man pointing at Mr. Mafiha who said he knew both men. Mr. Sarvari, baby-faced, stared wide-eyed into the crowd."

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Ari- By the same token, the stadium in Birjand, where a couple of others were executed in public was packed to capacity--same was true, I have heard with the stadium in Shiraz when they did the amputation of a supposed thief a few days ago.  I think it has something to do with level of education and culture as well.  Tehran, where the society is a bit more modernized, has a tendency to have a lower turn out for these things--percentage-wise.  Smaller cities, where modernization still lags behind, shows a higher level of interest. 

At the end of the day, though, just lke your article points out, human beings have a macabre tendency to watch others suffer.  I bet you if w ehave a public hanging somwhere in the Deep South of the U.S. tomorrow, you will see a huge turn out.  It's just human nature.  The trick is to discourage the practice.