Alireza Raisi, a 21-year-old Iranian protester, shared a heartbreaking final conversation with his father before he was hanged for taking part in a protest against the Iranian regime, according to audio released by Iran Human Rights. In the call, Raisi told his sobbing father, "Don't cry, dad," moments before he was carried off to the gallows.
The last conversation took place from inside an Isfahan prison, where Raisi was held before his execution for participating in the January protests against the regime. His father, struggling to hold back tears, said: "Forgive me! Forgive me. There is nothing I can do for you."
Final words of comfort
Raisi responded: "Dad, I'm proud of you in every way. I am always proud of you." His father sobbed into the phone and replied: "I'm proud of you, too," according to the New York Post.
Raisi added that he would do anything to take away his father's pain of losing a son. He also promised to look after his cousin, Ramin Raisi, who was killed during the January 9 protest in Isfahan's Baharestand neighborhood, Iran International reported. Raisi said: "Don't cry, dad. Give my regards to uncle as well. Tell him I'm keeping an eye on Ramin."
Execution and alleged torture
Raisi was hanged last week along with another protester, Alireza Sepahi, 25, who got married in prison over the phone just hours before he was put to death. The pair were among a dozen accused of killing four members of Iran's security force at a protest at Isfahan's Shahid Alikhani Square, where public executions were being held by the regime.
It has been alleged that the men suffered severe torture to confess to the court, in what human rights groups have slammed as sham trials. Raisi and Sepahi have reportedly been kept from burying their loved ones in their hometowns.
Condemnation from journalist
Iranian journalist Masih Alinejad condemned the process as a violation of human rights and called for Iran to end its killing 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," she posted on X.
"They think the rope will end the uprising. The rope is only creating more anger towards society," Alinejad added.
