Honour killing in Rasht, Iran: Young woman set on fire

Matin Shabanian
Age: Young
Burned alive: November 2, 2023
Residence: Beshman, Rasht, Gilan
Origin: Iran
Children: -
Perpetrator: Husband Pouria Nikbein

Pouria Nikbein, the husband of Matin Shabanian, murdered her by setting her on fire under the pretext of "family honor." On Thursday, November 2, 2023, Matin Shabanian, a resident of Beshman village in the outskirts of Rasht, Gilan province, succumbed to severe burns in the hospital. The young hairstylist had been set on fire by her husband twenty days earlier, on Saturday, October 14 of the same year.

Pouria Nikbein, also a resident of Rasht, lost his life on the same day due to the injuries sustained during the murder.

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.