An Iranian woman, sentenced to death for her husband’s death, whom she married as a child, has been spared execution after receiving “forgiveness” from the victim’s family, announced the Iranian judiciary on Tuesday.
Goli Kouhkan, a 25-year-old undocumented member of the Baluch minority, was slated for execution this month, a case that drew significant international attention.
Last week, UN rights experts called on Iran to stop Kouhkan’s execution, noting she was forced to marry her cousin at 12 and gave birth at 13, both suffering abuse from the husband.
“She was pardoned through judicial mediation and the deceased’s parents’ consent,” reported Mizan Online, illustrating the ceremony where forgiveness was granted and calling it a “new life” for her.
UN experts and rights groups said her life was spared on the condition she raised “blood money” (diyah), allowing execution avoidance under sharia law if compensation is paid.
Her lawyer, Parand Gharahdaghi, shared on Instagram that the initial amount of 100,000 euros was reduced to 80,000 euros, raised via donations and charities.
Mizan did not disclose the blood money amount.
Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, director of the NGO Iran Human Rights, highlighted her case as emblematic of the discrimination and violence many women face in Iran, often leading to death sentences.
IHR reported that over 40 women have been executed this year in Iran, many due to poverty, child marriage, and domestic violence.
“The court overlooked Goli’s age at marriage, the abuse history, and her lack of legal representation or literacy during arrest and interrogation,” said Amiry-Moghaddam.
Kouhkan was arrested for her husband’s death in May 2018 at age 18 and sentenced to death with her cousin.
She reportedly called her husband’s cousin for help during an assault, resulting in a fatal fight with the husband.
Her cousin, Mohammad Abil, remains on death row, facing execution risk.
According to rights groups like Amnesty International, Iran ranks second in global executions, following China.
