The method of using a crane for hanging in this theocratic state is exactly the same type of capital punishment used in theocratic Iran.
The scene where a dissident is hung from a construction crane does not occur in the book, but it recreates a famous photograph from the Iranian revolution where the theocratic dictatorship hanged its political opponents from construction cranes in central Iran.
Alexis Bledel won the Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for her work in this episode. This is all the more noteworthy is that Bledel's character is bound and gagged throughout the episode and actually has no dialogue.