She was barely old enough to dream of freedom. Instead, Mona Heydari, a 17-year-old mother from Iran, lost her life in the most brutal way imaginable. Her husband Sajjad Heydari beheaded her in public — yet was sentenced to just eight years in prison.
Mona was forced into marriage at just 12, gave birth at 14, and spent years begging to escape her abusive husband. When she finally fled, her own family persuaded her to return. “She was too young to marry,” her father later admitted — but by then, it was far too late.
Her death has sparked outrage worldwide, with activists calling it a horrifying reminder of how “honour killings” still destroy women’s lives in silence.
No sentence, no apology, can bring Mona back. But her story must be heard — so that no girl’s life ends this way again. 💔
