Spanish police detain father of two sisters slain in Pakistan

They were killed last year for allegedly refusing to help their husbands come to Spain

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Urooj Abbas and Anisa Abbas were severely tortured and shot dead in the Gujrat district of Punjab province, Pakistan. — Twitter

By AP

Published: Wed 22 Feb 2023, 2:50 PM

Last updated: Wed 22 Feb 2023, 2:53 PM

Police in Spain have detained the father of two sisters who were victims of so-called “honour killings” while visiting family in Pakistan, authorities said on Wednesday.

Spain’s National Police confirmed local media reports that the father was taken into custody in the eastern town of Terrassa, near Barcelona.

He is under investigation for his possible involvement in the murders of his daughters, Urooj Abbas, 21, and Anisa Abbas, 23. They were killed last year in Pakistan for allegedly refusing to help their husbands come to Spain after the women had been forced to marry two of their cousins.

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The women were severely tortured and shot dead in the Gujrat district of Punjab province, which neighbours India.

According to Spanish media reports, the women, who had spent several years in Spain, had been forced into the marriages in 2021. When they travelled to Pakistan the following year, their relatives wanted them to help their husbands emigrate to Spain with them. They reportedly refused and asked for divorces instead.

In May, Pakistani police arrested six men for their suspected involvement in the murders. Pakistani officials said that murder charges were levelled against the victims’ brother, a paternal uncle, both husbands, a cousin, and both fathers-in-law.

AP

Published: Wed 22 Feb 2023, 2:50 PM

Last updated: Wed 22 Feb 2023, 2:53 PM

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