An Iranian woman accused of murdering 11 husbands to obtain their wealth appeared in court this week in what is considered one of the country’s most extensive serial murder cases, Gulf News reported on Friday, citing the website IranWire.
Prosecutors stated that Kulthum Akbari had been charged with administering lethal doses of a combination of diabetes and sexual enhancement drugs to elderly husbands over a period of 22 years, beginning in 2000.
The case came to public attention in 2023 following the death of Azizollah Babaei. His son raised suspicions, prompting an investigation.
A family acquaintance disclosed that Babaei had previously married a woman named Kulthum, who had once attempted to kill him. Babaei’s family recognised her as his most recent wife and alerted the authorities.
According to court records, Akbari confessed to murdering 11 husbands during interrogation. Prosecutors said she entered into marriages with elderly men and slowly poisoned them. In certain cases, she also used industrial alcohol.
As the victims were elderly and suffered from existing health conditions, their deaths were initially deemed natural, allowing the killings to continue undetected for more than two decades.
At a hearing held on Wednesday at the Sari Revolutionary Court, the families of four victims demanded Akbari’s execution under Islamic law. More than 45 plaintiffs are currently involved in the case.
Akbari’s lawyer argued that her mental health should be assessed. However, one plaintiff rejected the claim, stating that the detailed nature of the planning indicated clear intent.
The indictment includes 11 counts of premeditated murder and one count of attempted murder.
Prosecutors alleged that Akbari was motivated by a desire to acquire her husbands’ assets and wealth.
A verdict will be issued upon the conclusion of court proceedings.
