Anger in Iran after man accused of killing his 14-year-old daughter 'for running away'

A man has been arrested in Iran accused of murdering his 14-year-old daughter in a gruesome killing that has triggered outrage.

Romina Ashrafi ran away from home in Gilan province with her 35-year-old boyfriend after her father objected to their marriage, reports the BBC.

The couple were found by police and Romina was sent home despite reportedly pleading with officers that she her life was in danger.

Last Thursday night, she was allegedly attacked by her father in her bedroom.

Romina was "decapitated" with a sickle, according to local media outlet Gilkhabar.

Afterwards her father walked outside the home "with the sickle in his hand and confessed".

Iranian media widely reported the killing, with women's rights advocates condemning it and other 'honour killings' - the murder of a member of a family who is thought to have brought dishonour upon relatives.

Activist Masih Alinejad tweeted "As long as the current laws discriminating against girls and empowering abusive parents exist, unfortunately the cycle of violence will continue."

Human rights advocates say they are generally carried out when a female family member refuses to enter an arranged marriage, was the victim of a sexual assault or rape, or had sexual relations outside marriage, even if only she's accused of it.

Under Iran's Islamic legal code, penalties for fathers and other family members who are convicted of murder or physically harming children in domestic violence or "honour killings" are drastically reduced.

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