Lawyer for Romina Ashrafi’s Mother: Quranic Punishment Alone is Insufficient in This Case

Ibrahim Nikdel Moghaddam, defense lawyer for Romina Ashrafi’s mother—the 13-year-old girl who was killed by her father—says the perpetrator committed the murder with premeditation and in such cases, reliance on “Quranic punishment” alone should not suffice.

In an interview published in the Shargh newspaper on Monday, Mehr 10, he emphasized that given the “dangerous nature of the perpetrator” and the “extremely brutal” nature of the killing, “additional punishment” should have been imposed in this case.

According to Nikdel Moghaddam, Bahman Khavari, Romina Ashrafi’s father, was incited by his relatives and told the court that after “investigating” the matter and to “cleanse his honor,” he committed the murder of his daughter.

Romina Ashrafi was killed on the first day of Khordad of the current year, after police returned her to her home following a five-day disappearance with a young man. She was murdered by her father with a sickle while she slept.

The Criminal Court of Gilan Province issued its verdict two days ago, sentencing Romina’s father to nine years imprisonment and payment of blood money (diyeh) to Romina’s mother.

Following the court’s ruling, Raena Dashti, Romina’s mother, said the court’s decision “filled me and my family with fear and horror” and that she would appeal it.

According to Article 612 of the Islamic Penal Code, a parent who kills their child cannot be executed, and if convicted in court, is sentenced to payment of blood money and imprisonment of up to ten years.

Source: Radio Farda