Raheleh H. was stabbed to death in Delmenhorst by her husband in front of her children

Raheleh H.
born 1993
stabbed to death: 24 March 2021
Residence: Delmenhorst
Origin: Afghanistan
Children: 3 (at the time of the crime 2, 7, 11 years old)
Perpetrator: her husband Mohammad A. (age 62 at the time of the crime)

During the refugee crisis, Raheleh arrived in Germany in 2015 with her husband, 35 years older, and 3 children.

In March 2021, a proximity ban is in place. Mohammad picks up their daughter from school and gains access to Raheleh's flat in Delmenhorst. In front of the children, he stabs her 64 times and cuts her throat to her spine. Raheleh dies on the spot.

In September 2021, the trial begins in the Oldenburg Regional Court.

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.