Pakistani police have rescued a 54-year-old French woman, Sylvie Yasmina, and her five children from a mud-brick home in Bara, a town in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province near the Afghan border, after she was allegedly held captive and subjected to domestic abuse by her husband for over a decade.
Rescue Operation Details
District police chief Waqar Ahmad confirmed the rescue earlier this week, stating that Yasmina's husband, Ahmad Khan, has been arrested and an investigation is underway. The rescue was initiated after one of Yasmina's sons managed to leave the house and reach the local police station to report the situation. Yasmina and her children were then transferred to a women's police station for protection.
Ahmad told the Associated Press that Yasmina and her children were found in a dilapidated room, and she had visible signs of injuries on her face. According to police, Yasmina alleged that her husband physically and psychologically abused her and had an extremely violent temperament.
Background of the Case
Yasmina told investigators that she had been unable to live freely since moving to Pakistan in 2014. Her children were never enrolled in school. In a video recorded by police and shared with the media, Yasmina spoke in a mix of English and Pashto, thanking officers for rescuing her and reiterating her wish to return to France.
Ahmad said Yasmina expressed a desire to return to France, and authorities are coordinating with relevant officials and the French embassy regarding her repatriation. There was no immediate comment from the French embassy.
Domestic Violence in Pakistan
Domestic violence remains a significant problem in Pakistan. Human rights groups say hundreds of women report physical and psychological abuse by husbands and other family members each year, although many cases are believed to go unreported. Scores of women are murdered in Pakistan each year for violating conservative norms on love, marriage, and public behavior.
Shabina Ayaz, director of the rights group Aurat Foundation, condemned the alleged treatment of Yasmina and said she hoped that the French embassy and Pakistani authorities would provide the family with all possible assistance. She stated that the case should serve as a wake-up call for authorities and society.
