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Italian court jails parents for life over ‘honour killing’ of Pakistani teen

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An Italian court has sentenced a Pakistani couple to life in prison for the murder of their 18-year-old daughter, Saman Abbas. She was killed because she refused an arranged marriage, and her body was discovered at a farmhouse in northern Italy in November 2022, 18 months after she went missing.

Saman’s father, Shabbar Abbas, was arrested in Pakistan and extradited for trial in August. He pleaded his innocence, expressing disbelief at the idea of killing his daughter. Saman’s mother, Nazia Shaheen, was convicted in absentia as she is believed to be in hiding in Pakistan.

The court also sentenced Saman’s uncle, Danish Hasnain, to 14 years in jail for his involvement in the murder. However, two of her cousins were acquitted. Saman Abbas’s murder, labeled an “honour killing,” shocked Italy, leading to a fatwa against forced marriages by Italy’s union of Islamic communities.

Saman had moved with her family from Pakistan to Novellara in 2016. Her relationship with a young man drew her parents’ anger, and they wanted her to undergo an arranged marriage in Pakistan in 2020, which she refused. After living under social services’ protection, she returned home in April 2021, only to disappear shortly afterward.

CCTV footage showed family members carrying tools on the night of her disappearance. Saman’s body was found near the family’s home after her uncle revealed the burial location. The autopsy indicated a broken neck, suggesting strangulation.

While her father and uncle were apprehended in 2022, her mother remains at large in Pakistan. The court convicted both parents, despite Shabbar Abbas’s claims of innocence, stating that the trial is incomplete, and he wants to know who killed his daughter.

“Honour killings” are rooted in tribal customs where allegations against a woman bring dishonour to the family. These crimes are often committed when a woman refuses an arranged marriage or faces accusations of inappropriate behavior. In Pakistan, “honour killings” of women occur frequently, while a smaller number involve men. Recently, another similar incident occurred in the Kohistan district, where an 18-year-old woman was killed by her father and uncle based on doctored photos showing her with a man.

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SCO summit: Putin says sanctions making Russia stronger

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Russian President Vladimir Putin has reiterated his country’s opposition to Western sanctions following the invasion of Ukraine.

Speaking at the virtual Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, his first international address since the recent mutiny in Russia, Putin expressed defiance towards the West, stating that Russia would counter external sanctions and pressures while continuing to develop. He emphasized the importance of trade agreements between SCO nations in local currencies, seen as a measure to mitigate the impact of sanctions. Putin also welcomed Belarus’s application to become a permanent member of the SCO. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, hosting the summit, called for increased trade, connectivity, and tech cooperation among member states.

However, he did not directly address the war in Ukraine or China’s assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific, reflecting India’s delicate diplomatic position as it strengthens ties with both the West and China. Instead, Modi urged SCO members to cooperate on countering cross-border terrorism, with his statements commonly interpreted as aimed at Pakistan. China’s President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of regional peace and security and called for solidarity and mutual trust among SCO members. All members agreed on the need to maintain stability in Afghanistan following the Taliban’s takeover.

The SCO, formed in 2001 by China, Russia, and four Central Asian countries, has gained relevance as relations with the West deteriorate for Russia and China. With around 40% of the world’s population and over 20% of global GDP, the SCO holds significant potential, and the inclusion of Iran as a full member further enhances its energy portfolio.

However, India’s ability to strike a diplomatic balance between its global partners, including Russia, China, and Pakistan, will impact the future of the SCO. Indian diplomats assert their commitment to an independent foreign policy without favoring any particular group.

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Survivors point fingers at Greek coastguard for Greece boat tragedy

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Survivors of the migrant boat tragedy off Greece’s coast accuse the Greek coastguard of causing the sinking of the overcrowded fishing vessel. The incident, which occurred on June 14, is considered one of the worst humanitarian disasters in recent Mediterranean history, with an estimated 750 people on board, mainly from Pakistan, Syria, and Egypt.

Of the total, 104 individuals survived, while 82 bodies have been recovered. The identities of the four survivors who spoke to the BBC have been verified through multiple sources, but they have chosen to remain anonymous for their safety.

The survivors, some of whom are being held at the Malakasa refugee reception center, alleged that the Greek coastguard was towing the boat when it sank in a deep area of the Mediterranean, approximately 80km (50 miles) off the Greek coast. The Greek authorities have denied these claims, stating that when they attempted to secure the vessel with a rope to assess the situation, some individuals on board resisted, expressing their desire to continue the journey to Italy.

The survivors reported being pressured by Greek officials not to speak to the media about the incident or to blame the Greek coastguard. The Greek authorities declined to comment, citing an ongoing official investigation into the sinking.

The German NGO Sea-Watch, which conducts rescue operations in the Mediterranean, commented that towing an old vessel with a large number of people under such conditions is a risky endeavor and likely to result in a disaster. The survivors also disputed the allegations against the nine Egyptians accused of people trafficking, stating that they were passengers, not smugglers.

The UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) has called for urgent action to prevent further deaths at sea, emphasizing the importance of search and rescue operations and the establishment of safe regular pathways in the Mediterranean. According to UNHCR figures, approximately 80,000 people have crossed the Mediterranean to reach EU states this year, with an estimated 1,200 deaths or disappearances during the journey.

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