Saman Abbas murder case: brother provides new testimony

New details have emerged regarding the 2021 murder of Saman Abbas, an 18-year-old Pakistani woman killed in Novellara, Italy, after refusing an arranged marriage. Her brother, Alì Haider, has provided testimony regarding the events leading to her death.

Haider stated that he witnessed his uncle, Danish, choke Saman and carry her toward greenhouses. He revealed that on the night of the murder, his uncle slept beside him wearing the same clothes. Haider noted that a Carabinieri commander encouraged him to tell the truth, stating, “a lie ruins everything, the truth beats everyone.”

Saman Abbas had moved from Lahore to Italy in 2016. Her family had attempted to force her into a marriage with a cousin in Pakistan, a decision she resisted in favor of a relationship with an Italian man. Prior to her death, Saman had sought help from social services and had been placed in a youth community for protection. The legal proceedings following her death resulted in convictions for her parents and cousins, while her uncle received a 22-year sentence.