A 21-year-old protestor uttered three heart-wrenching final words to his father during their last conversation before he was executed for participating in a protest against the Iranian regime, as revealed by an audio recording. The young Iranian protestor told his distraught father - 'don't cry, dad' just moments before the regime led Alireza Raisi to his execution.
Final call from Isfahan prison
Raisi's final exchange with his father occurred from within an Isfahan prison prior to his execution for his involvement in the January protests against the regime. Struggling to contain his tears, Raisi's father pleaded: "Forgive me! Forgive me. There is nothing I can do for you."
To which Raisi replied: "Dad, I'm proud of you in every way. I am always proud of you." His father, overcome with emotion, responded through sobs: "I'm proud of you, too," as reported by the New York Post. Raisi expressed his wish to alleviate his father's anguish over losing a son.
Promise to watch over cousin
He also vowed to watch over his cousin, Ramin Raisi, who tragically lost his life during the January 9 protest in Isfahan's Baharestan neighbourhood, according to Iran International. Raisi reassured: "Don't cry, dad. Give my regards to uncle as well. Tell him I'm keeping an eye on Ramin."
Raisi was executed last week alongside fellow protestor Alireza Sepahi, 25, who wed in prison via telephone just hours before his death. The duo were amongst a dozen individuals charged with murdering four members of Iran's security forces during demonstrations at Isfahan's Shahid Alikhani Square, where public hangings were being carried out by the regime.
Claims of torture and sham trials
It has been claimed that the men endured brutal torture to extract confessions for the court, in what human rights organisations have denounced as sham proceedings. Raisi and Sepahi's families have allegedly faced additional anguish as they have reportedly been prevented from laying their loved ones to rest in their home towns.
Iranian journalist Masih Alinejad slammed the process as a breach of human rights and urged Iran to cease its execution of political prisoners. "This is what the Islamic Republic calls justice: 18 days of torture. Electric shocks. A forced confession. A trial lasting minutes. An appeal thrown out in less than 48 hours. A gallows built beside a Revolutionary Guard executioner," the writer shared on X. "They think the rope will end the uprising. The rope is only creating more anger towards society," Alinejad wrote.
