Femicide in Iran: 17-Year-Old Victim of Child Marriage Killed in So-Called “Honor” Killing

Hengaw: Wednesday, September 11, 2024

Nazanin Balochi, a 17-year-old victim of child marriage, was murdered by her cousin in the city of Chanef, located in Nik Shahr County, Sistan and Baluchistan Province. The crime was reportedly motivated by so-called “honor.”

According to a report received by the Hengaw Human Rights Organization, on the morning of Saturday, September 7, 2024, Nazanin Balochi, from the village of Gowehch in Chanef, was shot dead by her cousin three weeks after separating from her husband, who had repeatedly abused her. Nazanin, forced into marriage at the age of 14, was killed by two shots to the head from a handgun.

The news outlet Haalvsh reported that the perpetrator, identified as “A.B.”, traveled from Chabahar to Nazanin’s family home on Friday, September 6, after learning of her separation. Upon arriving, he physically assaulted her, demanding that she confess to having a secret relationship with another man, a claim Nazanin vehemently denied, noting that she did not even own a phone. One of her relatives intervened, preventing the murder that day.

However, the next morning, A.B. returned to Nazanin’s home and killed her in front of her 15-year-old sister. After committing the crime, he contacted his relatives, informing them of the murder and stating that Nazanin had pleaded for her life before he shot her.