Husband Kills Wife and Man in Gilan, Iran

Matin Tayebikhah
Age: 34
Stabbed to death: September 22, 2024
Residence: Fuman, Gilan Province
Origin: Iran
Children: 2
Perpetrator: Husband

On Sunday, September 22, 2024, 34-year-old Matin Tayebikhah, a mother of two, was stabbed to death in her home in Fuman County, Iran. A 47-year-old man was also murdered at the same location. The suspect, a 39-year-old hospital employee from Rasht and Tayebikhah’s husband, fled the scene but was arrested a few hours later.

Police investigations revealed that the murders were committed after the suspect found his wife with the other victim. Rasht’s police chief confirmed that the suspect was apprehended within two hours of the killings. The crime is being investigated as a possible "honor killing," with the perpetrator citing family and personal disputes as his motive.

What is an honour killing?

An honour killing is a murder in the name of honour. If a brother murders his sister to restore family honour, it is an honour killing. According to activists, the most common reasons for honour killings are as the victim:

refuses to cooperate in an arranged marriage.
wants to end the relationship.
was the victim of rape or sexual assault.
was accused of having a sexual relationship outside of marriage.

Human rights activists believe that 100,000 honour killings are carried out every year, most of which are not reported to the authorities and some are even deliberately covered up by the authorities themselves, for example because the perpetrators are good friends with local policemen, officials or politicians. Violence against girls and women remains a serious problem in Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Iran, Serbia and Turkey.