Story By: Conor Sheils, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Newsflash
This 13-year-old Iranian girl has reportedly been beheaded in her sleep by her father in a so-called honour killing after cops took her back home when she ran away.
The incident took place in Hovigh, in Talesh county, in northern Iran.
According to local media, the young girl – named as Romina Ashrafi – had run away from home with a man – reported in Iranian media being 35-years-old – after her dad opposed them marrying.
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The girl was eventually found by police and was later returned home and placed under the care of her father.
According to local media, she was handed over to her Dad despite “repeated warnings” that to do so would put her in danger.
The girl’s father allegedly killed her in her sleep by beheading her with a curved blade weapon.
According to local media, he then allegedly went to the police station with the murder weapon in his hand, and confessed to the crime.
However, if convicted he will not be punished by death under Iranian law because he was the girl’s guardian.
Meanwhile, Iranian local media has also interviewed the man who the girl ran away with. They claim he is a 35-year-old man named Bahman.
Reports say that the governor of Talesh has confirmed that the father – who has not been named – has been arrested.
Speaking to local media, the governor added that “the details of this case will be made public after the legal process”.
While the exact figures for the number of honour killings in Iran are unknown, a police official has previously suggested that they make up a fifth of the murder cases in the country.
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