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.
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