Seconds before an Iranian man was to be executed, he got the surprise of his life, the Daily Mail reports.
Balal, the man to be executed, was convicted of stabbing and killing 18-year-old Abdollah Hosseinzadeh seven years ago and was sentenced to death.
But as Balal stood on a chair with a noose around his neck waiting for Abdollah’s parents to kick the chair out from under him, the victim’s mother decided instead to merely slap him. Then she removed the noose.
A stunned crowd watched as the mother cried and explained that she had a change of heart after her deceased son appeared to her in a dream, according to the Daily Mail.
“Three days ago, my wife saw my elder son in a dream telling her that they are in a good place and for her not to retaliate,” the father of Abdollah explained.
After Balal was freed, his mother ran over to embrace Abdollah’s mother.
In accordance with Sharia law, victim’s families are allowed to take part in the execution and have a say in the death sentence.
