At just 17, Mona H.* falls victim to an incredible act. The young Iranian is followed by her husband, kidnapped – and even beheaded in the end.
Now it turns out that the cruel act was only possible with the help of the police. Because she helped Mona’s father to track down his daughter in her hiding place in Turkey.
When it becomes clear that Mona H. is in Turkey, her father travels there and brings his daughter back to Iran. It is not clear whether the police knew about the family’s plans or only helped the father on a pretext, as “Arab News” reports.
Police arrest husband and brother
Back in Iran and with her husband, a bloody act then takes place. Mona is decapitated. The husband is said to have given as the reason for the crime that the 17-year-old had “dirty the family honor” and committed adultery.
But that’s not all: After the crime, her husband is said to have walked the streets with his wife’s severed head and boasted about his crime.
According to the reports, Mona is said to have been married to the man at the age of 12. She was then raped several times. She gave birth to a son when she was just 14.
Iranian police arrested the husband and his brother on Thursday. Both should now have to answer in court. However, it is unclear whether they have to answer for murder or for “honor killing”, which is still often considered legitimate.
Honor killing 2020 caused great consternation
One thing is clear: the act triggers great dismay in Iran. Iranian filmmaker Tahmineh Milani writes on Instagram: «Mona was the victim of a devastating ignorance. We are all responsible for this crime.”
The fact that “honor killings” are still often seen as legitimate opens “the floodgates for such heinous crimes,” writes Iranian lawyer Ali Mojtahedzadeh. Legislative changes are urgently needed.
In spring 2020, an honor killing in Iran already caused great consternation. At that time, Romina A. († 14) was murdered by her father because she had fled with her boyfriend. (zis)