Tehran, Dec 1 (DPA) An Iranian woman convicted of murder was hanged Wednesday in the Evin prison in the capital Tehran, ISNA news agency reported.
The case of Shahla J. had attracted media attention over the last eight years as her victim was the wife of famous football player Nasser Mohammadkhani.
Shahla J. was herself the footballer’s temporary wife and reportedly killed the former national team striker’s permanent wife in 2002 in order to have him for herself.
The Shiite sect of Islam, which is followed by the majority of Iranians, allows men to have three wives besides the main spouse.
Shiite Muslim men can also make a temporary marriage to legitimise extra-marital liaisons. Women activists have on several occasions condemned this practice, leading parliament to make some legal amendments.
The death sentence of Shahla J. was carried out after it was confirmed by the Supreme Court.
According to her lawyer, Abdolsamad Khoramshahi, Shahla J. begged the victim’s family for mercy.
First-degree family members of victims are entitled to declare mercy and avoid implementation of the death sentence up to the last minute, according to Islamic laws.
Prison officials had also appealed to the family for mercy, the lawyer added.
Murder, rape, armed robbery and trafficking more than five kilograms of drugs are among the crimes punishable by death in Iran.
