THE Teachers’ Union of Iran today condemned the “heinous murder” of Mona Heidari, who was decapitated by her husband in a so-called honour killing in Ahvaz.

It blamed the Iranian government for a spate of misogynistic killings in the country, with unofficial statistics saying at least 60 women have been killed in Khuzestan province in the last two years.

“In the deplorable economic conditions that dominate the lives of the Iranian people, and as we witness every day news of the suicide of teachers, pensioners and other low-income segments of society, the horrific images of the Ahvaz tragedy shocked the turbulent Iranian community,” it said in a statement.

Ms Heidari was just 17 years old and had previously fled to Turkey for her safety, but was forced to return. Images of her husband holding her decapitated head have caused widespread revulsion.

Many said that these actions were encouraged due to leniency in punishment for so-called honour killings.

Comparisons were made between a father who received eight years in prison for beheading his 14-year-old daughter and a woman who was jailed for 24 years for removing her hijab.

The union offered “condolences to all Iranian women who have lived under the pressure of misogynistic laws over all these years, and declares that the responsibility for the death of Mona Heidari and others is with a regime that insists on the continuation, consolidation and implementation of these backward laws.”