Court Confirms Death Penalty for Attackers of French Tourist
Six years after a brutal gang rape of a French tourist in front of her three children on a Pakistani motorway, the two men convicted of the crime have had their death sentences upheld by a higher court. Abid Malhi and Shafqat Ali were originally sentenced to death in March 2021 for charges including gang rape, kidnapping, robbery, and terrorism, stemming from the horrific attack on the Sialkot-Lahore Motorway.
The convicted men had appealed their sentences, with their defense team citing alleged inconsistencies in the prosecution’s case and questioning the fairness of the initial judgment. However, on Wednesday, a panel of two judges dismissed the appeals. The prosecution successfully argued that substantial evidence pointed overwhelmingly to the guilt of Malhi and Ali.
Details of the Heinous Attack
The incident occurred on September 9, 2020, when the woman and her children found themselves stranded on the motorway near Lahore due to a lack of fuel. Reports indicate that after locking the car doors while awaiting assistance, the attackers forcibly broke a window. The woman was then dragged from the vehicle and subjected to a gunpoint rape in front of her terrified children.
In addition to the sexual assault, the assailants also stole the victim’s money, jewelry, and bank cards before fleeing the scene. Authorities stated the survivor was left deeply traumatized but was able to provide initial descriptions of her attackers to law enforcement.
Investigation and Conviction
Investigators successfully tracked down Malhi and Ali using mobile phone data, leading to their arrest just days after the offense. DNA evidence recovered from the crime scene reportedly matched samples from the accused. During court proceedings, the survivor identified both men, and Shafqat Ali provided a confession to the crime before a magistrate.
An anti-terrorism court handled the trial in 2021, prioritizing expediency. The case generated significant public outcry and condemnation on social media platforms, with some individuals calling for public executions of those involved. The incident also sparked widespread protests across Pakistan, particularly after a senior police official’s remarks drew criticism for appearing to blame the victim.
Umer Sheikh, a senior police official in Lahore at the time, questioned why the woman had been traveling late at night with her young children on what he suggested was a less-trafficked road. These comments ignited a strong reaction on social media, with many Pakistanis denouncing the victim-blaming narrative.
Broader Context and Penalties
The confirmation of the death penalty comes amidst ongoing discussions about the severity of penalties for sexual offenders. While sexual abuse is a persistent issue for women in Pakistan, crimes of this nature against foreign nationals are less common.
Many Pakistani women reportedly refrain from reporting sexual assault due to societal stigma, and perpetrators often evade justice due to perceived flaws in the legal system and investigative shortcomings. Pakistan is recognized as one of the countries with the strictest application of the death penalty globally, with executions typically carried out by hanging.
