Saman Abbas murder legal proceedings

Legal proceedings continue in Italy regarding the 2021 murder of Saman Abbas, an 18-year-old Pakistani woman killed in Novellara after refusing an arranged marriage. Following an appeals court ruling, several family members, including the victim’s cousins Ikram Ijaz and Noman Ul Haq, received life sentences for murder and the suppression of a corpse. The victim’s parents, Shabbar Abbas and Nazia Shaheen, also received life sentences, while her uncle, Danish Hasnain, saw his sentence increased to 22 years.

During the appeal process, Nazia Shaheen has declared her innocence, suggesting other relatives were involved. A legal dispute has emerged regarding the nature of the crime; while the initial verdict found the murder was not premeditated, the Reggio Emilia Prosecutor’s Office is appealing to prove premeditation. Defense lawyers argue that discussions held by family members on the night of the crime were intended to ‘teach Saman a lesson’ rather than coordinate a murder.

Additionally, prosecutor Maria Rita Pantani has requested a trial for Nazia Shaheen concerning an investigation into an attempted forced marriage. In media developments, a three-episode docuseries titled ‘Saman - La verità nascosta’ was announced to provide an intimate look at the victim’s life.

New testimony has since emerged from the victim’s brother, Alì Haider. Haider stated that he witnessed his uncle, Danish, choke Saman and carry her toward greenhouses. He further 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.’