The son of one of Pakistan's richest men has been sentenced to death for raping and murdering a woman who rejected him.
Zahir Jaffer, 30, tortured Noor Muqaddam, 27, with a knuckleduster, raped her, and used a 'sharp-edged weapon' to behead her at his home in Islamabad on July 20, 2021, a court heard.
CCTV footage showed Noor, the daughter of a diplomat and former ambassador to South Korea, making several attempts to escape his lavish mansion but her exit was blocked by Jaffer's staff.
She was then dragged back into his property to be tortured and killed by the 30-year-old man because she rejected him.
At trial, Zahir was thrown out of court several times during the trial for misbehaving and was frequently carried into proceedings by stretcher or wheelchair, as his lawyers argued that he was 'not mentally sound'
At one point during the trial, the defence argued that someone else had killed Mukadam during a 'drug party' at his house.
And when the victim's father was questioned, Jaffer's lawyer implied she was killed by her own family for conducting a relationship outside of marriage.
Horrifying moment tank 'drives over' car with pensioner inside – and he survives
However, Jaffer was found guilty on Thursday, February 24, and the court verdict dictates that he will be 'hanged by his neck till he is dead.'
Judge Atta Rabbani at the Islamabad district court told the court: "The main accused has been awarded the death sentence."
However, he was also given a concurrent sentence of 25 years in prison for abduction and rape.
To stay up to date with all the latest news, make sure you sign up for one of our newsletters here.
The two members of staff were sentenced to 10 years in prison for abetting murder.
The murderer's parents, Zakir Jaffer and Asmat Adamjee were found not guilty of attempting to cover up his crime.
Reacting to the sentencing, Shaukat Mukadam, Noor's father, said: "'I am happy that justice has been served."
But he is pushing to overturn the acquittal of Jaffer's parents.
If you or somebody you know has been affected by this story, contact Victim Support for free, confidential advice on 08 08 16 89 111 or visit their website, www.victimsupport.org.uk.
Source: Read Full Article
