This is the horrifying moment a convicted killer is publicly hanged from a crane in Iran in front of a cheering crowd. 

In graphic pictures and videos, Sajad Molayi Hakani, standing on a platform, is seen blindfolded with a noose around his neck on August 19. 

The noose is attached to a crane being controlled by another man who appears to be part of the execution team. 

The video shows dozens of people, including children, gathered around to watch the execution. 

As the man is hanged, the crowd can be seen clapping and cheering in delight.  

He received a qisas sentence, signifying “retaliation in kind” under Islamic law, for the murder of a mother and her three children during an October robbery.

His wife, Masha Akbari, who has also been sentenced to death, is set to be executed in prison at a later date.

Sadrallah Rajaei, the chief of the Fars provincial judiciary, stated: ‘In this case, the qisas sentence for the second defendant, who is the first defendant’s wife, will be executed in prison with the victims’ relatives present.’

This is the moment a man was hanged in Iran for murdering a mother and her three children during a robbery in October

As the man is hanged, the crowd erupts into cheers

On Thursday, it was also reported that the nation had executed another convicted murderer by hanging at the location of the alleged crime.

That execution took place at dawn in the city of Kordkuy, Golestan province.

Heidar Asiabi, the provincial judiciary chief, confirmed to the Mizan Online website that the execution happened ‘at the crime scene and in public.’

According to reports, the man had allegedly killed ‘a couple and a young woman with a hunting knife’ late last year. 

Public executions in the country are generally rare and reserved for crimes that have caused widespread anger and outrage. 

However, human rights advocates have said that there has been a huge surge in the last year. 

The UN Human Rights Office have asked Iran to discontinue the use of the death penalty as punishment. 

They say there has been a ‘worrying surge in executions’ that has seen at least 612 people killed in the first half of this year alone.

His wife, Masha Akbari, who has also been sentenced to death, is set to be executed in prison at a later date

In response, Iran countered by saying its use of the death penalty is ‘only’ in ‘the most severe crimes’. 

The country imposes the death penalty for crimes such as murder, adultery, and certain drug-related offenses. Additionally, individuals have been sentenced to death for blasphemy and homosexuality.

On July 9, a man was hanged in Barouq, West Azerbaijan province, for killing four women. 

Earlier in the year, on February 28, Iran conducted its first public execution of 2025 in Esfarayen, where a man was hanged from a bridge following a murder conviction.

Iran has also been criticised for secret executions of political prisoners. 

On July 27, Behrouz Ehsani, 69, and Mehdi Hassani, 68, members of the exiled opposition group Mujahedeen-e-Khalq (MEK), were executed in Ghezel Hesar prison in Karaj, Alborz province. 

Amnesty International said the two were allegedly tortured and denied legal representation during interrogation.