An Iranian woman accused of killing 11 husbands over 22 years appeared in court this week in what prosecutors describe as one of the country’s most extensive serial murder cases, 24NewsHD TV reported on Friday.
According to international media, prosecutors alleged that Kulthum Akbari administered lethal doses of a combination of diabetes medication and sexual enhancement drugs to elderly men she married between 2000 and 2022.
In some instances, industrial alcohol was also used.
The case surfaced in 2023 after the suspicious death of Azizollah Babaei.
His son raised concerns that led investigators to link the death to Akbari, who had previously been accused of attempting to kill Babaei.
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.