Stop Child Executions regrets to inform that Sina Paymard, the 16 year old juvenile who was reprieved at the gallows in 2006 by relatives of the murder victim after he had played the flute passed away while hospitalized.
Sina was scheduled to be executed three times and was taken to the gallows at least twice. Sina’s death sentence was eventually overturned after the family of the victim received 150 million tuman ($ 160000) in blood money.
Sina’s family, and private donors managed to collect the blood money in July 2007. On December 24, 2007 Sina was released after spending 3 1/2 years in prison.
However Sina who had faced death few times continued to suffer depression and eventually passed away in hospital. No further details are known.
Sina Paymard, was a musician and flute player who suffered from mental disorder was convicted of murder and sentenced to death after a dispute with a drug dealer over cannabis in 2004 at the age of 16.
The Supreme Court upheld the death sentence, and he was scheduled to be hanged on September 20, 2006, two weeks after his 18th birthday. When he was taken to the execution site, where the noose was placed around his neck, he was asked if he had a last request. Sina asked if he could play the flute. According to reports, the family members of the victim who were present to witness the execution were very moved by his playing, and agreed to forgive him and accept the payment of diyeh (blood money). In Iran, family members are asked just before the execution is carried out if they wish to forgo their right to retribution and forgive the condemned.
Instead of medical help and rehabilitation, Sina was sentenced to death at the age of 16. Sina died so many times during while in prison and at the gallows during his childhood and what was left of the young man that was freed was a depressed and broken soul with no more will to live. May he rest in peace now…
