13-year-old daughter was killed by her father because she intended to run away with an older man she has affection with

A 13-year-old girl was allegedly beheaded by her own father in a brutal 'honor-killing' in Iran while she was sleeping. Romina Ashrafi was killed with a farming sickle after fleeing her family home with a 34-year-old man after her father expressed outrage at their plans to get married.

The young woman had initially fled the family home with a 35-year-old man she had fallen in love with after her father had refused to allow her to marry, Iran International TV said.

The two were eventually arrested by the police after their families lodged charges. Romina returned home following 'repeated reminders' that she feared for her life until her father reportedly killed her with a sickle on May 21.

After the murder, the girl's father allegedly handed himself in and admitted to the murder, while still holding the blood-soaked weapon.

District Governor Kazem Razmi has reported that the girl's father is being held in detention and an investigation of the case is underway. Speaking to local media, the governor added that "the details of this case will be made public after the legal process has taken place."

Also Read: Just in - Two communities in Awka North L.G.A (Achalla and Urum) fighting over land issues, which cause three deaths and many seriously wounded

But a report by Al Arabiya claimed that Romina's father will escape death penalty because he was Romina's 'guardian', and Islamic Penal Code means he is exempt from 'qisas', or 'retaliation in kind.'

The Sharia law states that only 'blood owners' and immediate family members are allowed to demand execution for the murder of a relative.

Reacting to the news, Fariba Sahraei, a senior editor at Iran International, said: 'Every year in Iran, women, and girls are killed by their male relatives under the guise of defending their honour, but the nature of Romina Ashrafi's murder is one that has shocked the country and the rest of the world.'