By: Rezvan Moghaddam<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A 17-year-old boy in Mashhad killed another boy with 10 knife stabs after seeing a
message and photo from him on his sister phone, a shocking crime at the intersection of
gender-based violence, honor control, and digital illiteracy.
On June 28, 2025, a 17-year-old teenager named Mehdi P. committed a killing in the
city of Mashhad that encapsulates all the elements of an honor-based crime:
uncontrolled rage, a possessive view of women in the family, carrying a knife, trial
without due process, and extreme violence in response to even the slightest sign of a
teenage girl\u2019s emotional connection.
This tragedy occurred when Mehdi, after seeing texts and photos from a neighborhood
boy on his 14-year-old sister\u2019s phone, instead of speaking with her or seeking guidance
from his family, directly confronted the teenage boy and stabbed him more than ten
times.
What\u2019s even more disturbing is that Mehdi, in an interview, stated:
\u201cI myself was in a relationship with a girl and intended to marry her.\u201d
This confession reveals the deep contradiction in honor-based cultures: where a boy\u2019s
relationship with a girl is considered a \u201cright,\u201d but his sister\u2019s connection with another
boy is a capital \u201ccrime.\u201d
In Iran and many other countries in the region, the concept of \u201chonor\u201d has been
structurally and dangerously weaponized to control the bodies and behavior of women
and girls. Teenagers raised in this environment, lacking education on human rights,
justice, and conflict resolution, make fatal decisions in moments of rage. The young
killer in this case admitted that he didn\u2019t know the law or the right way to respond.
In his confession, he says he saw the boy\u2019s photo on his social media profile \u2014 a clear
symbol of the absence of media literacy and sexual education in schools and families.
Digital space, which could be a platform for education and communication, has in the
absence of formal education become a violent court of judgment and control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Interview with Mehdi by Khorasan Newspaper:
\uf0b7 What is your name? Mehdi P.
\uf0b7 What year were you born? 2007
\uf0b7 Are you a student? Yes, I was studying in 12th grade (high school).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\uf0b7 Where do you live in Mashhad? On Resalat Boulevard, Hematabad
neighborhood.
\uf0b7 Did you work during summer breaks? Yes, sometimes I worked in
construction and sometimes at the fruit market.
\uf0b7 Why did you commit this crime?
The night before, I grabbed my sister\u2019s phone and saw messages and photos
from a boy. I got “honor-bound” angry and lost control.
\uf0b7 Did you know the boy you killed?
No, I had seen him in the neighborhood, but we weren\u2019t acquainted.
\uf0b7 How did you know he was the one in contact with your sister?
I saw his photo on his social media profile.
\uf0b7 Why did you decide to kill him?
I didn\u2019t even realize what I was doing! I got so angry that I couldn\u2019t think straight. I
went to him the next morning as he was heading to work. I said, \u201cWhy are you
bothering someone\u2019s honor?\u201d He replied, \u201cIt\u2019s none of your business.\u201d I said,
\u201cThat girl is my sister!\u201d Then I stabbed him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\uf0b7 Are you regretful?
Very much! Now that I\u2019ve been arrested, I realize I made a mistake. I should\u2019ve
thought about the consequences.
\uf0b7 What would you have done instead?
I should\u2019ve consulted older people or asked for help to see how to handle such
things.
\uf0b7 What were your future plans after high school?
I wanted to join the military and serve in the army.
\uf0b7 Were you yourself in a relationship?
Yes, I had recently met a girl.
\uf0b7 Then why did you kill someone for being in a relationship with your sister?
I intended to marry the girl I was seeing!
\uf0b7 What do you think caused this crime?
First, carrying a knife! If I hadn\u2019t had a knife, maybe this wouldn\u2019t have happened.
But more importantly, we don\u2019t understand how to use digital space or manage
street relationships. I wish someone had guided me!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this case, the 14-year-old sister remains voiceless. We hear nothing of her wishes,
feelings, or choices, nor do we see any protection or advocacy from legal institutions.
This silencing of women and girls, especially in matters that directly threaten their lives
or those of their loved ones, reflects the deeply patriarchal and violent structure of our
judicial, social, and educational systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Follow news in the Stop honor Killings Campaign Telegram group:
https:\/\/t.me\/stophonorkilling
Support the Stop honor Killings Campaign with Your Donations via PayPal:
https:\/\/paypal.me\/stophonorkillings?country.x=US&locale.x=en_US<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stop honor Killings Campaign<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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