In a shocking turn of events, a young Iranian Jew named Nethanel ben Ziona Ghahremani is slated to be executed by the Iranian regime on Monday. The Jerusalem Post has confirmed that the execution is a result of an altercation in which Ghahremani defended himself, leading to the death of a Muslim man. The incident has shed light on Iran's opaque judicial system and the arbitrary use of the death penalty in the country.

Ghahremani, believed to be either 23 or 24 years old, resides in the western Iranian city of Kermanshah. According to reports, he was attacked by the Muslim man with a knife after loaning him money, which the man refused to repay. In an act of self-defense, Ghahremani fought back, resulting in the death of his attacker.

Efforts are being made by Jewish Iranian-Americans to secure Ghahremani's release. In Iran, it is traditional for the family of a victim to have the power to forgive the accused, even in cases where the death penalty has been imposed. Negotiations are reportedly underway, and funds are being raised to send to the Muslim family in order to secure Ghahremani's freedom.

However, concerns have been raised regarding the fairness of the Iranian judicial system, particularly in cases involving religious minorities. Sheina Vojoudi, an associate fellow at the Gold Institute for International Strategy, highlighted that the law in Iran, derived from Islamic law, does not guarantee basic rights for the accused. Moreover, due to Ghahremani's Jewish background and the fact that a Muslim was killed, the case may face harsher judgment under Islamic law, leading to religious apartheid.

This distressing development is not an isolated incident in Iran. According to Amnesty International, the clerical regime has carried out nearly 900 executions in the past 12 months. The number of executions has been on the rise, especially amid a worsening economic crisis and nationwide anti-government protests.

The Iranian Jewish community, which once flourished with a population of 80,000 before the Islamic Revolution, now has an estimated population of 5,000 to 8,000 people, out of a total population of nearly 90 million. Most Iranian Jews fled the country after the 1979 revolution.

As Ghahremani's execution looms, the international community is closely monitoring the situation and calling for clemency. The plea of his mother, Sonia, for mercy and prayers emphasizes the urgent need for intervention and for hearts to soften in this contentious case.