A young woman in Iran faces execution unless she can pay a significant amount of money to the family of her late husband. Goli Kouhkan, who is currently on death row, has been sentenced to death for her involvement in the killing of her abusive spouse, a crime that took place when she was just 18 years old. Now 25, Kouhkan is trapped in a legal battle that pits the Iranian justice system’s retributive justice against her ability to raise the equivalent of $80,000 to avoid the death penalty.
Kouhkan’s case has sparked international outrage, particularly among human rights groups, who argue that it is emblematic of the larger issues facing women in Iran, especially those from marginalized communities. As a member of the Baluch ethnic group, one of Iran’s most oppressed minorities, Kouhkan’s legal rights and social status were further hindered by her illiteracy and lack of official documentation. She was forced into marriage at a young age, and her life with her husband was marked by years of physical and emotional abuse.
The incident that led to her arrest began when her husband physically assaulted their young son. Kouhkan called a cousin for help, and a fight ensued, resulting in her husband’s death. Following his death, she immediately sought medical assistance for her son and confessed to the authorities, though human rights advocates argue that her confession was extracted under duress, without legal representation.
Under Iranian law, a victim’s family can pardon the convicted in exchange for financial compensation, known as “blood money,” or diya. Prison officials have reportedly arranged a deal with the victim’s family: if Kouhkan can pay 10 billion tomans, roughly $80,000, by December, her life will be spared. However, she will likely be forced to leave her city and be prohibited from contacting her son, who is being raised by his paternal grandparents.
This case highlights the broader issue of child marriage and domestic violence in Iran, where women are often denied basic legal protections and subjected to systemic abuse. The execution of women in Iran, particularly for offenses such as murder in cases of domestic violence, has drawn significant criticism, with some calling it a violation of international human rights standards.
Kouhkan’s case, while tragic, is far from isolated. Other women in similar circumstances, often forced into marriages as children, have faced similar fates. Despite this, their voices remain largely unheard in a society where legal protections for women are minimal and heavily influenced by deeply ingrained patriarchal norms.
