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

Ibrahim Nikdelmaqddam, the defense lawyer for the mother of Romina Ashrafi, a 13-year-old girl who was killed by her father, says the murderer committed the killing with premeditation and in such cases, relying solely on “Quranic punishment” 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” nature of the killing, “additional punishment” should have been imposed.

According to Nikdelmaqddam, Bahman Khavari, Romina Ashrafi’s father, had been instigated by his relatives and told the court that after conducting an “investigation” into the matter and to “cleanse his family honor,” he committed the murder of his daughter.

Romina Ashrafi was killed on June 21st of this year by her father with a sickle while she slept, after police returned 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 9 years imprisonment and ordering him to pay blood money to Romina’s mother.

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

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

Source: Radio Farda