Child bride, forced to marry at 15, is executed after killing abusive husband

An Iranian girl, forced into marriage at 15, has been executed in Iran for murdering her abusive husband after enduring years of mistreatment.

The victim, Samira Sabzian, 29, was hanged at dawn in Ghezel Hesar prison in Karaj, as confirmed by the Norway-based Iran Human Rights Group (IHR).

Sabzian, married off at 15, suffered domestic abuse throughout the marriage, her relatives disclosed.

After enduring four years of abuse, she killed her husband at 19, and subsequently spent a decade imprisoned.

Despite appeals from Britain, the UN, and global human rights organizations, Sabzian was executed by the Iranian regime.

During her imprisonment, she chose not to meet her two children, one of whom was born while she was in custody. However, she later had an emotional reunion with them when she learned of her impending execution.

Sabzian’s hanging today has drawn criticism from rights groups, who condemn Iran’s application of ‘qesas’ (retribution in kind) under sharia-based murder laws.

The country’s penal code dictates a death sentence for murder convictions, irrespective of circumstances. The victim’s family can decide between accepting the death penalty or seeking financial compensation, with Sabzian’s in-laws opting for the former.

Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, the director of IHR, decried the situation, stating, ‘Samira was a victim of gender apartheid, child marriage, and domestic violence. Today, she fell victim to the corrupt regime’s killing machine, sustained through fear and violence.’ Amnesty International also expressed horror at the execution, highlighting the impact of Sabzian’s forced early marriage as a child.