Accessibility links

Breaking News

Five Indicted Over Stoning Of Pakistani Woman


The husband of Farzana Parveen, who was stoned to death by her father and other family members, sits beside her grave.
The husband of Farzana Parveen, who was stoned to death by her father and other family members, sits beside her grave.

A court in Pakistan has indicted five men for stoning a woman to death for marrying against their wishes.

Twenty-five-year-old Farzana Parveen was killed on May 26 outside a Lahore courthouse by her own family members, including her father and brothers.

At least five people have been either arrested or detained in connection with her murder, including her father.

On July 5, a court in Lahore formally charged five suspects, including Parveen's father.

A court official told AFP that witnesses were due to begin giving statements on July 7.

The killing sparked outrage in Pakistan, partly due to claims police did little to save Parveen.

The United States branded the incident "heinous" and Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif demanded immediate action to catch the killers.

According to the independent Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, 869 women died in so-called "honor killings" in 2013.

Based on reporting by AFP

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG