Maria Hossein-Panahi, a pregnant 32-year-old Kurdish woman, has been killed by her husband following a domestic dispute in Sanandaj, Kurdistan province.
The Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN) has learned that Hossein-Panahi, who had recently started married life with Shwan Nasseri, was stabbed multiple times during an argument at her home on 3 February.
Despite undergoing surgery, she died several hours later in hospital from her severe injuries. Her unborn child also did not survive.
According to sources close to the family, the couple had argued prior to the killing. The man then left the house and contacted Hossein-Panahi’s sister, threatening to kill his wife upon his return.
Alarmed by the threat, the sister urged Hossein-Panahi to leave home, but she refused, believing that, as in previous instances, the threat would not be carried out. She also lacked access to a vehicle.
The sister simultaneously alerted the police and the Criminal Investigation Department.
During a later phone call, screams could be heard in the background, followed by Hossein-Panahi saying that her husband had entered the house armed with a knife. The call then abruptly ended.
The fatal stabbing reportedly took place in front of the husband’s mother, who suffered a cardiac arrest due to shock and was also taken to hospital.
The husband was reportedly arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department.
