Saman Abbas murder, father on trial for forced marriage: aggravating circumstances disputed

The trial of Shabbar Abbas, the father of Saman Abbas, has begun in Reggio Emilia. She disappeared in the night between 30 April and 1 May 2021 from Novellara and was found buried in a farmhouse near her parents' home a year and a half later. The proceeding concerns the induction of the daughter's marriage. The alleged crime is that the family wanted to marry the young woman, against her will, to a relative in Pakistan. For Saman's murder, in addition to his father, Saman's mother, Nazia Shaheen, his cousins ​​Ikram Ijaz and Noman Hulaq and his uncle, Danish Hasnain, have already been sentenced to life imprisonment at 22 years of age.

The mother is also on trial for the crime of attempted forced marriage. The first hearing will be held in January. Prosecutor Maria Rita Pantani announced that she will also contest the aggravating circumstances of the victim's minor age and the abuse of family authority. The disputed facts concern the period from November 2019 until the girl's death. The Pangea foundation against forced marriage and the Municipality of Novellara were also admitted as civil parties, as already happened in the trial for the murder of the 18 year old. In the next session on December 21, the hearing of witnesses will begin, including Saman's brother, Ali Haider and her then boyfriend Ayub Saqib.