Iran Times – March 07th, 2012
Aman accused of stabbing his wife to death in front of 300 Iranian immigrants at a Now Ruz function says she changed her ways after becoming an Australian citizen.
Zialloh Abrahimzadeh, 57, is on trial charged with murdering Zahra Abrahimzadeh, 44, in front of their oldest daughter and 300 other How Ruz guests at the Adelaide Convention Centre in March 2010.
Abrahimzadeh, who has pleaded not guilty, became emotional last Wednesday as he told the court his wife became more independent after getting Australian citizenship and money from Centrelink, the Australian welfare agency.
Her relatives were all in Iran, but they would call and she would become a different person, he said. He commented that he sent her to Iran twice to sell their old house, but each time she returned empty handed and full of excuses.
The court has also taken evidence for the prosecution from his three children. They said their father regularly insulted, slapped, punched or whipped the family with his belt if they dared talk back or disobeyed rules.
The one son, Arman, said the violence worsened in 2007 after they confronted Abrahim-zadeh about rumors he was having an affair.
His father admitted having “another wife” but said it was none of their business.
Arman said the family moved out in secret after a violent evening during which he had to wrestle his father away from the kitchen knife drawer as he threatened to kill them all.
They bought a new car, stopped going to community functions and changed their habits to avoid bumping into anyone who might tell Abrahimzadeh their new address, Arman said.
Abrahimzadeh denied he was ever violent with his wife in Australia. He also denied having a mistress, saying the woman was just his good friend.
The trial has been told Zahra was frightened when her estranged husband turned up at the New Ruz party, but she had turned her back to him before he charged over to her table and stabbed her eight times.
