Saman Abbas murder case: Family members face life sentences and appeals

The legal proceedings surrounding the 2021 murder of Saman Abbas, an 18-year-old Pakistani woman killed in Novellara for refusing an arranged marriage, have entered new phases in the Italian judicial system.

Following an appeals court ruling, the cousins of the victim, Ikram Ijaz and Noman Ul Haq, have been sentenced to life imprisonment for murder and the suppression of a corpse, with aggravating factors of premeditation and vile motives. Their defense teams have filed appeals with the Court of Cassation, contesting the impartiality of the evidence and the premeditation charges.

The victim's parents, Shabbar Abbas and Nazia Shaheen, who were also sentenced to life imprisonment, have filed appeals to contest the second-degree verdict. Additionally, the victim's uncle, Danish Hasnain, saw his sentence increased from 14 to 22 years for his role in discovering the body.

In a separate development, prosecutor Maria Rita Pantani has requested a trial for Nazia Shaheen regarding an additional charge of attempted forced marriage. This investigation, which dates back five years, follows Shaheen's extradition to Italy from Pakistan in August 2024.