15-Year-Old Afghan Girl Dies in Mashhad After Being Beaten by Husband

Sharifeh, a 15-year-old Afghan girl, has died following a severe beating by her 22-year-old husband in the Iranian city of Mashhad. Iranian media reported that the man fled the scene but was subsequently arrested by the police and confessed to beating his wife.

According to a report by the *Khorasan* newspaper, the incident occurred about two months ago, but details were only published in Iranian media on Monday, October 12 (20th of Mehr). It is reported that Sharifeh’s husband became enraged after seeing a message from a relative of the couple praising a photo of Sharifeh; he then brutally beat his wife using his fists, kicks, and a hard object.

Sharifeh lost consciousness following the blows, and her husband, with the help of another woman, took her to a medical center. The teenager was subsequently transferred to Hasheminejad Hospital in Mashhad but passed away after being hospitalized for several days.

Forensic examinations in Iran revealed that a blow to Sharifeh's head with a hard object had caused brain death. Extensive bruising was also observed across various parts of her body—particularly on her legs—with some marks indicating she had been struck with a whip.

Iranian media reported that both Sharifeh and her husband were Afghan nationals and were cousins. The couple had entered Iran illegally some time prior and had rented a home in Mashhad.

Iranian police identified and arrested Sharifeh’s husband on August 24 (2nd of Sonbaleh) in the Shahid Rajaei district of Mashhad. During the investigation, the man stated that the posting of his wife's image online—and the reactions it elicited from others—had enraged him.

Following the reenactment of the crime, the accused was transferred to prison by order of the presiding judge. Judicial investigations into the case are ongoing.

Shahbanoo Nouri