Karzai Pardons Imprisoned Afghan Rape Victim

Afghan President Hamid Karzai

Afghan President Hamid Karzai has pardoned an Afghan woman serving a 12-year prison sentence for adultery after being a victim of rape.

Karzai's office released a statement saying the woman and her attacker agreed to marry.

The Associated Press reports that would reverse an earlier decision by the woman, who had previously refused a judge's offer of freedom if she agreed to wed the rapist. It is not clear how long the woman has been in jail.

The BBC reports that her child had been serving her sentence with her.

Rights groups say hundreds of women jailed in Afghanistan are victims of rape and/or domestic violence.

with agency reports