An Iranian woman who was forced into marriage as a child and being held in prison for murdering her abusive husband was executed on Wednesday despite calls from human rights groups for leniency. Samira Sabzian was hanged in Ghezelhesar Prison, according to the Norwegian-based group, Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO). IHRNGO Director Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam said Sabzian was a victim of "gender apartheid, child marriage, and domestic violence." "Today she fell victim to the incompetent and corrupt regime’s killing machine. A regime that has sustained itself solely through killing and instilling fear," Amiry-Moghaddam said in a statement. "Ali Khamenei and other leaders of the Islamic Republic must be held accountable for this crime."
Sabzian, a child bride who was married off to her husband at the age of 15, had been a victim of domestic violence. Arrested in 2013 at the age of 19, she was sentenced for the murder of her husband, said Iran Human Rights (IHR) NGO in a press release.
Sabzian had been in prison for a decade. She had two young children, including a newborn baby, at the time of her arrest. Sabzian did not see them for 10 years until they came to say their goodbyes at the prison before her execution.
The office of the UN High Commissioner of Human Rights said it was "alarmed" at the execution.
We again urge Iran to establish a moratorium on all executions with a view to abolishing the death penalty," the office said.
Secretary-general Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern “at the lack of transparent and independent investigations into reported human rights violations, in particular in the context of the latest nationwide protests”.
Amnesty International also expressed its shock over the execution of the mother of two.
