In Iran, two muggers caught on video are hanged

[jsr]

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/middleeast/la-fg-iran-hanging-20130121,0,2907702.story

In Iran, two muggers caught on video are hanged
The death sentences are seen as a get-tough message from Iranian authorities alarmed about escalating street thuggery amid a sanctions-driven economic downturn.
By Ramin Mostaghim, Los Angeles Times

TEHRAN — A pair of thieves caught in the act on a video posted to YouTube were executed at dawn on a residential street Sunday by a method dating back beyond medieval times: hanging.

The handcuffed men, convicted of the crime of moharebeh (waging war against God), were strung from twin cranes placed side by side in the upscale district. They were then hoisted aloft in front of a crowd of nearly 100 onlookers, with the crane operators, in effect, serving as executioners.

Their sentence was widely viewed as a get-tough message from Iranian authorities alarmed about reports of escalating street thuggery amid an economic downturn driven by escalating international sanctions. Concern about street crime has risen in the capital as the economy has plummeted.

Public executions are unusual but not unheard of in Tehran, though the practice is more common in outlying provinces. Hanging by crane is the preferred method. Iran is among the nations that impose capital punishment most frequently, along with China, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and the United States, according to human rights monitors.

[dixiegrrrrl]

1. Sounds as if they were strangled?

With the crane "hoisting" them, rather than the drop that is supposed to break the neck quickly?

[ChazII]

2. Hence the old saying

He/She wouldn't be happy if he was hung with a new rope.

The drop, the knot and a new rope is supposed break the neck killing the person instantly.

[dixiegrrrrl]

3. ahhh....I learn so much interesting stuff on the DU.

thanks...

[ChazII]

5. You're welcome.

[NutmegYankee]

4. Iran doesn't use the long drop hanging method.

All executions result in strangling.

[backscatter712]

6. That's pretty much what happened.

Iran doesn't do the long drop. They just hoist 'em up and leave them up there until they stop kicking.