Advertisement

Iran to blind acid-attack woman in 'eye for an eye' retribution

An Iranian woman will be blinded in one eye over an acid attack that left her victim sightless after the country's supreme court applied the principle of an "eye for an eye" in Islamic Sharia law.

Under Iran's Sharia law, imposed since the 1979 Islamic revolution, qesas (retribution) is permitted in cases where bodily injuries are inflicted.

The convicted attacker was found guilty of throwing acid in the face of her victim two years ago in the city of Dehdasht.

"The sentence to blindness in one eye, payment of blood money (compensation), and seven years imprisonment have been confirmed by the highest court," Tasnim quoted head of judiciary Majid Karami in the province of Kohgiluyeh as saying.

Hundreds gather to protest against the growing number of acid attacks in Iran. Photo: Getty
Hundreds gather to protest against the growing number of acid attacks in Iran. Photo: Getty

Karami didn't say when the sentence would be carried out.

However, victims and their family members have the power to prevent the punishment being imposed.

Officials in Tehran are worried by the increasing number of acid attacks. Photo: Getty
Officials in Tehran are worried by the increasing number of acid attacks. Photo: Getty

The victim's family is being urged by activists to pardon the convicted woman.

The practice of carrying out an "eye for an eye" is extremely rare in Iran, however officials are concerned about the increase of acid attacks.

Several acid attacks have been reported in Iran in the past few years.

The concept of qesas also applies to murder in Iran, where a victim's family can demand the death of the killer.