The tragic story of Reyhaneh Jabbari
Reyhaneh Jabbari was a 26-year-old Iranian woman whose execution in 2014 garnered international attention and condemnation. Her case highlighted significant concerns regarding women's rights and the fairness of the judicial process in Iran.
Background
In 2007, at the age of 19, Reyhaneh Jabbari, an interior decorator, was arrested for the murder of Morteza Abdolali Sarbandi, a former employee of Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence. Jabbari claimed that Sarbandi had lured her to a property under the pretense of discussing a business deal and then attempted to sexually assault her. In self-defense, she stabbed him once with a pocketknife and fled the scene. Sarbandi later died from his injuries.
Arrest and Trial
Following her arrest, Jabbari was held in solitary confinement for two months without access to legal counsel or her family. She was reportedly coerced into confessing under duress, including threats against her family. In 2009, she was convicted of premeditated murder and sentenced to death under Iran's qesas law, which allows the victim's family to demand retribution.
Jabbari maintained that another man present at the scene was responsible for Sarbandi's death, a claim that was allegedly not thoroughly investigated. Her trial and conviction were criticized by human rights organizations for lacking due process and fairness.
Execution and International Response
Despite international appeals for clemency, including from Amnesty International and the United Nations, Jabbari was executed by hanging on October 25, 2014, at Gohardasht Prison in Karaj. Her execution proceeded after the victim's family refused to grant a pardon, a right afforded to them under Iranian law.
The execution was met with widespread condemnation. The U.S. State Department expressed deep concern over the fairness of her trial, citing reports of confessions made under severe duress. Similarly, Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister condemned the execution, highlighting systemic flaws within Iran's judicial system.
Legacy
Reyhaneh Jabbari's case became emblematic of the challenges faced by women in Iran's legal system, especially concerning claims of self-defense against sexual violence. Her story has been the subject of documentaries and books, including the 2023 documentary "Seven Winters in Tehran" and a memoir by her mother, Shole Pakravan, titled "How One Becomes a Butterfly."
Her final message to her mother, recorded before her execution, expressed her desire for her organs to be donated anonymously, reflecting her enduring compassion despite her circumstances.
Reyhaneh Jabbari's story continues to resonate as a poignant reminder of the importance of due process, the rights of women, and the global struggle against injustice.
