A 50-year-old Iranian woman has shocked the Islamic Republic by confessing to the systematic murder of 11 husbands over two decades, representing one of the most extensive serial killing cases in Iran’s modern history.

Kolthom Akbari started marrying wealthy, older men in 2001, portraying herself as the “perfect spouse,” Iranian media reported. According to these accounts, she wed 37 times – 18 temporary marriages and 19 permanent unions.

Temporary marriages occur within Shia Islam in Iran under various circumstances – preliminary relationship evaluation, sexual relations for compensation (prostitution), and for those anticipated to perish in combat, as happened during the devastating conflict Iran waged against Iraq throughout the 1980s.

All men who wed Kolthom perished under “mysterious” conditions – with the tribunal charging her with poisoning them through diabetes medications while maintaining a facade of “medical treatment” and care.

Akbari first rejected the accusations against her, yet after court officials showed video evidence of one incident, she acknowledged the truthfulness of numerous charges.

More than 45 individuals now serve as plaintiffs against the murder suspect, including relatives and inheritors. The tribunal demanded the defendant’s attorney provide medical and psychiatric documentation for her defense.