Child bride faces execution for death of abusive husband unless she pays £80,000

portrait placards of people executed by the government of Islamic Republic of Iran (Image: Getty)

A child bride, who was impregnated at just 13 years old, faces execution for the murder of her husband unless she raises £80,000 to pay off his family. Goli Koohkan was 12 years old when her parents arranged for her to be married to a cousin. When she turned 18, she was arrested and sentenced to qisas (retribution-in-kind) for involvement in the killing of her husband after years of being trapped in an abusive marriage. 

Koohkan, who is now 25, was thrown into Gorgan Central Prison in northern Iran. She was sentenced to death by hanging and has so far spent seven years in jail, making her the longest-serving female inmate in the region. An inside source told the Iran Human Rights (IHR) non-profit organisation: “On the day of the murder, her husband had been beating both Koohkan and their young son.

Under Iranian law, the family of the victim can pardon her in exchange for a ‘blood money’ payment (Image: Getty)

“Desperate and helpless, she called his cousin for help. When he arrived, a fight broke out, which ended with her husband being unintentionally killed.

“Goli called for an ambulance and told the authorities everything.”

The fight broke out after Kookhan returned home to find that her husband had beaten up their five-year-old son, it is reported.  

After the child bride was arrested, her family completely abandoned her. As a result, former prison mates have launched a campaign to raise £80,000 to pay off the husband's family debt. 

Under Iranian law, the family of the victim can pardon Kookhan in exchange for a ‘blood money’ payment in cases of murder or bodily harm.

The agreement expires in December, and they have so far only collected around 1.5% of the money, it is understood. 

The source added: “Goli was 12 when she was forced to marry a cousin. A year later, she gave birth to a son at home without medical care.

Last year, at least 31 women were executed in Iran (Image: Getty)

“While pregnant, she was forced to do heavy farm and house work and consistently subjected to physical violence at the hands of her husband who also cut her contact with her family and friends.”

A former cellmate of the victim told IranWire that Kookhan nearly died giving birth to her son.

“Her pelvis was too small, so she was afraid, and this became the reason for violence against her,” they said. She was reportedly pressured to have more children.

Kookhan attempted to escape from the abusive marriage, yet was unsuccessful each time due to her undocumented status - which is common in minority communities - and pressure from her family. 

She managed to flee once, yet her father threatened her when she returned to her parents' home. 

Last year, at least 31 women were executed, the Metro reported, which is the deadliest year since 2015.