Honor Killing in Golestan, Iran: Mobina Kandabi Murdered by Her Husband

Mobina Kondabi
Age: 28
Shot dead: May 7, 2025
Residence: Golestan
Origin: Iran
Children: 2
Perpetrator: Husband

On Wednesday, May 7, 2025, 28-year-old Mobina Kondabi, mother of two and originally from the village of Baghu in Golestan Province, northeastern Iran, was shot with a hunting rifle by her husband in the city park of Kordkuy. She was critically injured and died a few hours later in the hospital. The motive behind the murder was described as a matter of “honor.”

According to sources, the perpetrator, approximately 30 years old, shot his wife with a hunting rifle and then fled the scene. He was eventually arrested.

Domestic violence against women remains a widespread problem in Iran. Human rights organizations warn that honor-related violence is often insufficiently punished, especially when the perpetrator is a family member. As long as “honor” is accepted as an excuse, women in Iran remain vulnerable to violence within their own homes.

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.