Woman charged with killing 11 husbands over 22 years

An Iranian woman accused of killing 11 husbands to steal their money appeared in court the other day in one of the country’s most extensive serial murder cases, reported Gulf News on Friday, quoting website IranWire.

Kolsum Akbari is charged with poisoning the men with combinations of diabetes and sexual enhancement drugs over a 22-year period beginning in 2000, prosecutors said.

The case came to light in 2023 after the death of Azizollah Babaei, whose son became suspicious. 

A family friend revealed that Babaei had previously been married to a woman named Kolsum, who had tried to kill him. 

The Babaei family recognized her as their father’s most recent wife and contacted authorities.

Akbari confessed during questioning to killing 11 husbands, according to court documents. 

She would marry elderly men, then gradually poison them with drug combinations. In some cases, she used industrial alcohol, prosecutors said.

Because the victims were elderly and ill, their deaths initially appeared natural and did not raise suspicions, allowing the killings to continue for more than two decades.

At Wednesday’s hearing in Sari Revolutionary Court, families of four victims demanded Akbari’s execution under Islamic law. More than 45 plaintiffs are involved in the case.

Akbari’s lawyer said her mental condition should be examined. One plaintiff rejected this argument, saying the detailed planning showed clear intent.

The indictment charges Akbari with 11 counts of premeditated murder and one count of attempted murder.

Prosecutors say she was motivated by a desire to inherit her husbands’ property and money.

The court will issue a verdict after completing hearings.