SOGHRA NAJAFPOUR, SENTENCED TO DEATH AT 13, FACES RISK OF EXECUTION

a woman sentenced to death as a 13 year old faces the risk of execution, despite being released on bail by a court of Rasht, northeastern Iran, as the deceased’s parents have filed a legal request to carry out her order of execution. The woman, Soghra Najafpour, was sent to work as a maid in a home in Iran’s affluent sea-side city of Rasht at age 9. She was accused of causing the death of her employers’ 8 year old son when she was 13. Soghra’s confession was contradicted by other evidence in the case, which raised serious doubts about the truthfulness of the young girl’s confession. Soghra began working as a maid where she was subjected to sexual abuse and was repeatedly raped by the father of the family. On the day of the incident, Amir’s father had once again attacked Soghra and was raping the 13 year old when his 8 year old son, Amir, walked in and witnessed the crime. In an attempt to get rid of him, Amir’s father pushed the young boy away, hitting his head on the wall. Soghra’s employer then forced her to dispose of the boy’s body in a well. Soghra’s claims of sexual abuse were corroborated by the medical examiner, who, in his report to the court, stated that the young girl’s body bore countless signs of prolonged violent sexual abuse. The trial judge reviewed this evidence, he ordered Soghra to receive 100 lashes for having engaged in inappropriate sexual relations, but refused to find Amir’s father guilty of rape. The judge explained that Soghra was guilty of inappropriate sexual behavior because the medical records clearly indicated that she had engaged in sexual activity. Amnesty International has issued an urgent call to action.