Saed News: The imprisonment of an elderly man from Hamedan due to inability to pay alimony (dowry) highlights contradictions and the lack of a unified judicial approach in such cases.
According to SAEDNEWS, the elderly man’s weak eyesight is fixed on the corner of his prison cell as he recalls years of married life with his wife. He has spent a year in detention, hoping for release and a return to normal life.
This is the situation of an 87-year-old man who is currently imprisoned in Hamedan following a claim for dowry by his wife. It is possible that he, too, suffers from the mismatch between social realities and certain legal frameworks. The law of dowry has undergone numerous changes in recent years, yet no stable or consistent procedure has been established for it.
One day it is stated that there is no limit to the amount of dowry and it must be paid in full, and another day discussions arise about setting a cap of 110 or even 5 coins. However, what remains clear is the absence of a stable judicial approach, which has led to growing complications over time.
Dowry is recognized as a natural and legal right of women, and no objection can be raised against it under religious or legal principles. On the other hand, with the dramatic rise in the price of gold and currency, how can men be expected to pay such amounts without being imprisoned and facing related consequences?
In this context, a concerning issue is the transformation of this legal right into a tool for economic pressure on men and an increase in marital conflicts. The question remains: how can this contradiction be resolved so that neither women’s rights are violated nor men are burdened by economic instability?
Among the large number of dowry-related prisoners across the country, the name of an 87-year-old man stands out. He has been imprisoned since early last year due to inability to pay his wife’s dowry, which amounts to 2.5 billion rials.
The director of the Hamedan provincial charity organization for prisoners’ release stated that the man was born in 1318 (Iranian calendar) and has been in prison since June last year following a marital dispute and his wife’s complaint for dowry payment. The required amount for his release is 2.5 billion rials.
He added that the couple’s dowry is equivalent to two mithqals of gold. A case has been opened for him at the provincial charity foundation, and it is hoped that with the help of donors he will be released soon.
Experts say this case reflects the real challenges in implementing current dowry laws, which—without adjustment to economic and demographic realities—can create severe pressure and new problems.
Dowry has long been a subject of debate, seen both as a symbol of respect and commitment in marriage and, increasingly, as an economic and legal challenge. What was once a symbolic gift has, in some cases, turned into a financial pressure tool.
Despite attempts by lawmakers to balance women’s rights with men’s financial capacity—such as the 2012 law limiting enforcement to 110 coins—problems remain, and court cases continue to rise.
A legal expert noted that there is no age limit in Iranian law for dowry obligations. Payment remains enforceable unless the man is legally declared incapacitated. He added that dowry claims can even be pursued after death, with no time limitation.
The expert further emphasized that economic pressures, inflation, and sanctions have increased the number of unresolved family disputes and court cases, especially after 2017 and during the COVID-19 pandemic period.
He concluded that the dowry law must be aligned with current economic realities to prevent injustice to both women and men, and to reduce cases such as the imprisonment of elderly individuals unable to pay.
