Teenage Daughters Murder: Italian Court Sentences Pakistani Parents – Latest News on Shiv Telegram Media
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Title: Pakistani Woman’s Murder Conviction Highlights Forced Marriage Issue in Italy
Subtitle: Shabbar Abbas, Nazia Shaheen, and Uncle Found Guilty of Killing Saman Abbas
In a shocking development, Shabbar Abbas and Nazia Shaheen, along with their uncle Danish Hasnain, have been convicted of the murder of 18-year-old Pakistani woman, Saman Abbas, in Italy. Saman’s body was discovered in an abandoned farmhouse in November 2022, a year and a half after she was last seen alive on surveillance video with her parents.
Italian prosecutors strongly argued that Saman was killed by her own family on May 1, 2021, after she refused to marry a cousin in Pakistan. The trial shed light on the issue of forced marriages within immigrant communities in Italy, and the consequences faced by those who resist.
Shabbar Abbas, who was extradited from Pakistan, tearfully professed his innocence before the court. However, the overwhelming evidence and the testimonies of witnesses led to the conviction of Saman’s parents, who were sentenced to life in prison, and her uncle, who received a 14-year term. Two cousins were found not guilty and are set to be released from jail.
The trial has become one among many high-profile cases in Italy involving the murder or mistreatment of immigrant women or girls who resist forced marriages. This disturbing trend highlights the urgent need for measures to protect vulnerable individuals from such atrocities.
An autopsy revealed that Saman had a broken neck bone, pointing to the possibility of strangulation as the cause of death. Investigators uncovered that Saman had migrated from Pakistan to Novellara, Italy, as a teenager and had gradually embraced freedom. She had stopped wearing a headscarf and was dating a young man of her choice, a move that deeply angered her parents.
It was later revealed that Saman’s parents were pressuring her to marry a cousin in Pakistan, leading to a strained relationship. Saman had expressed her fear for her life due to her refusal to marry an older man in her homeland, which added to the tension within the family.
The conviction of Shabbar Abbas, Nazia Shaheen, and Danish Hasnain not only brings justice to Saman’s brutal murder but also serves as a reminder of the perils faced by individuals who challenge societal norms and fight for their own freedom and autonomy.
As Italy grapples with cases of forced marriages and the mistreatment of immigrant women, it is crucial that steps are taken to raise awareness, provide support to victims, and tighten laws to ensure their safety. The tragic fate of Saman Abbas must serve as a catalyst for change, with the hope of preventing further instances of such distressing crimes.
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