Islamabad judge OKs extradition request for Saman's father

(ANSA) - ROME, JUL 4 - An Islamabad district court judge on Tuesday upheld a request for the extradition to Italy of Shabbar Abbas, the father of 18-year-old Saman Abbas who was allegedly murdered by her family for refusing an arranged marriage.
    The Italian authorities have requested that Abbas be extradited on charges of killing Saman on the night between April 30 and May 1, 2021, near the northern town of Novellara together with four relatives including his wife, Nazia Shaheen, the only suspect who is still at large.
    Abbas can appeal against Tuesday's ruling to the Islamabad High Court.
    The government of Islamabad also needs to give an opinion on the case since there is no bilateral extradition agreement in place between Italy and Pakistan.
    Abbas was arrested in Pakistan last November after he and the other suspects fled Italy following the murder.
    The trial into the murder of Saman began in Reggio Emilia in February 2023, with her uncle and two cousins in the dock, while Abbas and Shaheen have also been indicted in absentia.
    Saman's boyfriend is standing as civil plaintiff in the trial and says he will use any compensation for her death to set up a foundation for victims of arranged marriages and so-called honour killings. (ANSA).