Brutal alleged murder of girl, 14, by father may lead to law change in Iran
Romina Ashrafi was reportedly violently killed by her father, who now faces up to 10 years in prison.
Wednesday 27 May 2020 16:10, UK
The brutal alleged murder of a 14-year-old girl at the hands of her father has led to a call from Iran's president to speed up laws punishing so-called honour killings.聽
Romina Ashrafi, from the Iranian town of Talesh, was reportedly beheaded while sleeping by her father Reza Ashrafi, who is accused of using a farming sickle to kill her.
He is believed to have murdered Romina after she eloped with her 34-year-old boyfriend.
Girls can legally marry from the age of 13 in Iran, but the average age of marriage is 23, and it is unheard of in rural areas for teenage girls to run away from home to be with their boyfriend.
Five days after the couple ran away, Romina was found and taken to the police, who she reportedly warned of her concern that her father may be violent.
Ashrafi then took his daughter back to the family home, where he is alleged to have killed her.
He faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
The case has caused outrage across Iran and has prompted President Hassan Rouhani to call on his cabinet to accelerate the adoption of relevant bills regarding such killings.
The number of similar incidents in Iran is not known.
Iran's justice department said the case will be tried in a special court.