A murderer has died from a heart attack after being told he would no longer face the death penalty in Iran.
The 55-year-old, known only by his first name Akbar, was told he would be released from prison instead of being put to death for the murder he committed nearly two decades ago.
Overjoyed at the news, he reportedly went into shock and suffered a cardiac arrest.
Akbar, from southern Iran, was taken to a medical centre, where doctors battled to save his life but he died around one hour after arriving.
According to the Iranian newspaper Hamshahri, the man was detained by the authorities 18 years ago for premeditated murder.
He carried out the crime with an accomplice identified as Davood, who was reportedly executed for his involvement, with Akbar also set to face the same fate.
Akbar, who was aged 37 at the time of the murder, spent the rest of his life behind bars fearing the death penalty, according to his family.
Stress over the years caused Akbar to suffer from a number of different illnesses.
The country's dispute resolution board managed to convince the victim's relatives to pardon the man for the murder, resulting in his release.
However, Akbar died before being released and experiencing freedom again.
According to Hamshahri, Akbar suffered a heart attack after being informed that the victim's relatives had pardoned him and he was no longer facing execution.
Iran is thought to execute the most people per capita at a rate which is thought to have risen 26 per cent in the last year.
A total 365 people were executed in 2021, equivalent to one per day, according to the Iran Human Rights Monitor.
The majority of prisoners were put to death for drug-related offences, according to the US based Human Rights Activists in Iran.
Crimes punishable by death in Iran include murder, rape, homosexuality, paedophilia, drug trafficking, kidnapping, armed robbery, prostitution and plotting to overthrow the Islamic regime.
