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Murder: Woman’s kin seeks speedy justice

The family of a Pakistani school teacher who was allegedly murdered by her husband, is demanding speedier justice for the killer who fled the UAE after committing the crime nearly five months ago.

Sumera Kiani, 36, who described herself as a happy-go-lucky woman on her Facebook profile, was murdered by her husband of 10 years after a bitter quarrel on September 8 last year.

Speaking to Khaleej Times from London, Sumera’s younger brother Suhail Kiani claimed that the killer was living his life as a free man in Pakistan despite having admitted to murdering his wife before fleeing the UAE.

“Justice delayed is justice denied,” he said: “We know that Asif Kiani is presently in Pakistan. It’s been five months since our sister was killed but we have not heard anything further from the Sharjah Police,” he said: “We do not know whom to turn to for justice.”

Sumera was found stabbed and dead in a car in Al Yarmook area. Her four children, now being taken care of by their maternal relatives in Pakistan, had been dropped off at a neighbour’s house by Asif before he fled. Sumera used to teach History and UAE Social Studies at a local Pakistani school. Suhail said that Sumera had already filed for divorce some months ago after her husband threatened to kill her: “Asif had been arrested earlier by the police after Sumera had reported threats to her life,” said Suhail.

“If he was unhappy with her, he could have divorced her. Why did he kill her so brutally and deprived the children of their mother?”

Sumera’s colleagues described her as a fun-loving woman who was trapped in an unhappy marriage: “She was pretty and fun loving,” said a fellow teacher on the condition of anonymity: “She occasionally gave hints of her unhappy union.” Asif was employed as a security guard at a local company.

Her Facebook profile describes her as: “A very friendly and happy-go-lucky woman. The best trait of mine which I cherish the most is that I am very kind hearted and extremely hardworking. For me, life is like a flowing river whereas a stagnant lake is just as good as death. I love flowers, colours and butterflies and strongly believe in the power of strong determination along with deep and honest prayers.”

“The day Sumera was killed, I received a call from her saying that her husband was upset over school fee payments,” said her brother.

A newly appointed welfare officer at the Pakistan Consulate in Dubai said he was aware of the case and was following up with the Sharjah Police.

An official from the Sharjah Police said that Asif had been blacklisted and would not be able to enter the UAE or any other GCC country.

asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com