Iran – Honor killing claims life of 17-year-old girl
Stop Fundamentalism – A man identified as Ahmad (53) killed his 17 years old daughter, identified as Farzaneh, on May 7, in the central city Isfahan, reported several Iranian newspapers.
Farzaneh was kidnapped earlier and was held captive by her brother-in-law, for ten days, the father told reporters. In order to save the family’s honor, he then decided to take her life.
“After talking to Farzaneh, she said that she would rather die,†Said Ahmad.
The 53 years old man told a more detailed version of the story to the reporters later.
"Seven months ago, Saeed married my older daughter. After a while he started showing lack of interest towards her. He instead wanted to marry my younger daughter Farzaneh. I didn’t accept that. After divorcing my older daughter Saeed continued showing interest for Farzaneh. Finally he kidnapped her and stayed with her for 10 days. We tried to solve the problem without involving the authorities, but had to contact the police who arrested Saeed and Farzaneh. On Tuesday (May 6.) we brought Farzaneh home from custody. First I beat her up. She just cried and apologized for what had happened. I felt pity for her but couldn’t free myself from anxiety of losing my honor. Tuesday night I sat by Farzaneh and told her that one of us had to die to save the families honor. She kissed my forehead and said if someone had to die it must be her. On my request, that night Farzaneh slept in a room downstairs. I had decided to put an end to her life. Everyone in the family knew what was going to happen. During the night I sat several times by her bed and looked at her innocent face. At the time of morning prayer I woke her and her sister up. We talked for the last time and I repeated to her that one of us could live. She laid down and volunteered to die. She kissed my face for the last time and I said good bye to her. I put her hands into her sister’s hands and put a plastic bag on her face. She didn’t show any resistance. We had decided to show it as a suicide. But later we contacted the police and told them the story."
Article 220 of the Iranian Criminal Code states: “If a father –or his male ancestors– kill their children, they will not be prosecuted for murder." Likewise, article 1179 of the Civil Code states, “Parents have the right to punish their children within the limits prescribed by law.â€
On another incident, a father buried his daughter alive after beating her up because she was addicted to drugs, reported the Iranian state-run daily, Fars, on May 6. The girl was saved by the people passing by and transferred to the hospital.
