Iran executes woman who defended herself against violence

Iran executes woman who defended herself against violence

Twenty-four-year-old Marziya Nayeri was executed at Qazvin Central Prison on August 8. She had been sentenced to death five years earlier after being convicted of killing her husband.

According to human rights activists, Marziya was forced into marriage at the age of 17. At 18, she faced the threat of sexual violence from her husband and another man. She used a kitchen knife to protect herself, and her husband died as a result of the incident. In court, Marziya said she had acted to protect her life and dignity. However, the court did not recognize her actions as self-defense.

According to media reports, Marziya was the 20th woman executed in Iran since the beginning of 2026. Activists say that at least 348 women have been executed in Iran since 2007.