Police authorities in Pakistan have apprehended a man accused of imprisoning his wife and children and subjecting them to abuse for over ten years. Sylvie Yasmina, a 54-year-old French citizen, along with her five children, was rescued from a mud-brick residence in Bara, a secluded town in the north-western Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The district police chief, Waqar Ahmad, confirmed the arrest of Ahmad Khan, the husband. Ms. Yasmina and her children were discovered in poor living conditions with visible injuries.
Allegations from Ms. Yasmina pointed towards physical and emotional mistreatment by her husband, describing him as extremely violent. According to a senior police officer, the woman claimed she was restricted from interacting with others, leading to the older children missing out on education, while the younger ones were never enrolled in school. The family was liberated after one of the sons managed to escape and seek help at a local police station. They have been relocated to a women’s shelter in Peshawar, the provincial capital.
Ms. Yasmina expressed her desire to return to France, with law enforcement authorities coordinating with relevant officials and the French embassy for her repatriation. The French embassy has not issued an immediate response. Ms. Yasmina disclosed to investigators her struggle to live freely since relocating from Australia to Pakistan in 2014. In a video shared with the media, she thanked the police for rescuing her and reiterated her wish to go back to France.
Shabina Ayaz, the director of the Aurat Foundation rights group, condemned the alleged mistreatment of Ms. Yasmina and called for comprehensive assistance from the French embassy and Pakistani authorities for the family. The case has been highlighted as a reminder for both authorities and society. Human rights organizations report numerous instances of women in Pakistan facing physical and psychological abuse annually, often left unreported.