In a harrowing tale from Iran, Someyah Mehri's quest for freedom from an abusive marriage took a tragic turn when her husband, Amir Afghanipour, launched a brutal acid attack on her and their two daughters, Nazanin and Rana. Someyah's plea for divorce had been met with fury by Afghanipour, a thief and drug addict prone to violence.
Denied the legal right to divorce without her husband's consent, Someyah faced a perilous situation. In a horrifying act, days after her divorce request, Afghanipour entered their bedroom and threw corrosive acid onto the sleeping trio—Someyah and her daughters, aged 3 and 5. Rana bore the brunt of the attack, suffering burns to nearly 60% of her body and losing an eye. Someyah sustained injuries leading to the loss of her eyesight, severe scarring, and a two-year battle against a lung infection.
The aftermath of the acid attack unfolded as neighbors rushed to help, unaware of the true nature of the assault. Afghanipour, attempting to conceal his heinous act, cut power lines and falsely claimed an electrocution accident to Someyah's father, Reza Mehri. Recognizing the truth, Reza played a crucial role in uncovering the assailant.
Tragically, Someyah Mehri succumbed to the complications caused by the acid attack in 2013. However, her daughters, Rana and Nazanin, survived the ordeal. Rana, now 13, continues to undergo surgeries to address the extensive damage inflicted by the acid. Medical professionals estimate that she will require at least 70 surgeries throughout her life.
Legal repercussions ensued, with Someyah's husband facing charges for the attack on his wife and daughter and for the alleged killing of Someyah. His brother was also implicated in planning the acid assault but was later released without charges. Iran's Islamic penal code, rooted in the principle of Qisas (an eye-for-an-eye), allows victims to seek compensation and respond with similar violence.
While acid attacks are not as prevalent in Iran as in some other countries, they still occur, particularly targeting women seeking to end relationships. In response to the alarming frequency of such attacks, Iran's Parliament amended laws in 2019, making acid attacks punishable by the death penalty if the perpetrators are found guilty. This legislative change reflects a growing acknowledgment of the severity of acid attacks and the need for stringent measures to deter and punish those responsible.
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