The Mona Heydari video showing her brutal murder sparked outrage worldwide.
The recorded video of Mona Heydari’s brutal murder, witnessed by her husband Sajjad, who was smiling in front of the camera, has sparked outrage worldwide.
The disturbing footage captured Sajjad carrying his wife’s head and a large knife. Despite the magnitude of this crime, Iran’s judiciary has sentenced Sajjad Heydari to eight years in prison.
The authorities charged him with murder for seven and a half years and assault for about eight months. Perhaps most surprising is that Mona’s brother-in-law, who is believed to have been complicit in the murder, also received some jail time.
This legal outcome reflects the criminal justice system’s response to the crime – and society’s collective judgment towards these violent acts.
The judiciary spokesperson explained that the leniency of the sentence was due to Mona’s parents having pardoned Heydari instead of seeking retribution.
What happened to Mona?
At the age of 12, Mona wed Heydari and bore their son at just 14 years old. Mona had allegedly escaped to Turkey due to spousal abuse but was unable to file for divorce.
In February 2021, Mona returned to Iran under the coercion of her family, who assured her safety with her husband.
Tragically, Mona’s murder highlights the urgent need to increase the minimum age of marriage for children. Currently, the legal age for girls is 13, but even younger girls can marry with parental and judicial consent.
The killing of Mona echoes the outcry in 2020 after Romina Ashrafi, also 14, was beheaded by her father following her reported escape with her boyfriend.
After consulting with a lawyer to determine the punishment he would face for the crime, her father was sentenced to nine years in prison, one less than the maximum allowed under the law.
The tragic cases of 12-year-old Mona and 14-year-old Romina Ashrafi, both victims of domestic violence, highlight the need to ensure appropriate laws are in place to protect children’s rights.
The Iran government has approved a law regarding various forms of violence against women, but it has yet to be passed by parliament.
A UN independent expert has said the law does not go far enough to protect women from violence in the country.
Iran is currently facing anti-government protests sparked by the death in custody of a young woman detained by morality police in September for allegedly wearing her hijab or headscarf, “improperly.”
As a result, four people have been executed in connection with the protests, while 18 others have been sentenced to death.
However, human rights groups have argued that those convicted were subject to grossly unfair sham trials.
The incidents highlight the ongoing struggle for women’s rights and safety in Iran, with domestic violence, child marriage, and other forms of violence against women remaining prevalent in the country.
Despite some efforts to address these issues through legal reform, there is still a long way to go in ensuring the protection and rights of women in Iran.
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