Lawyer for Romina Ashrafi’s Mother: Jurisprudential Punishment Alone Should Not Suffice in This Case

Ibrahim Nikdel Moqaddam, the defense lawyer for Romina Ashrafi’s mother—the 13-year-old girl who was murdered by her father—says the killer acted with premeditation and in such cases, “jurisprudential punishment” alone should not be sufficient.

In an interview published in Shargh newspaper on Monday, September 1st, he emphasized that in this case, given the “dangerous nature of the perpetrator” and the “extremely brutal” manner of the killing, “supplementary punishment” should have been issued.

According to Mr. Nikdel Moqaddam, Bahman Khavari, Romina Ashrafi’s father, was incited by his relatives and told the court that after conducting an “investigation” in this regard and to “cleanse his honor,” he killed his daughter.

Romina Ashrafi was killed on June 21st of this year by her father with a sickle while she slept, after police brought her home following a five-day disappearance with a young man.

Two days ago, the criminal court of Gilan province issued a verdict against Romina Ashrafi’s father, sentencing him to nine years imprisonment and payment of blood money to Romina’s mother.

Following the issuance of the verdict, Rena Dashti, Romina’s mother, said the court’s decision has “filled me and my family with fear and horror” and that she will appeal it.

According to Article 612 of the Islamic Penal Code, a father who kills his child is not subject to retaliation and, if convicted in court, is sentenced to payment of blood money and imprisonment of up to ten years.

Source: Radio Farda