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April 22, 2011

Suspects in Pakistani Rape Case Freed 
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In Pakistan, there has been a major development in the case of Mukhtar
Mai, a Pakistani woman who spoke out publicly nine years ago after she
was gang-raped. The rape had been ordered by a tribal council as
punishment for a crime allegedly committed by her 12-year-old brother.
At the time, Mai accused 14 men of being involved. In 2002, a court
sentenced six of the men to death, while acquitting the others citing a
lack of evidence. But on Thursday, the Pakistani Supreme Court
overturned five of the six convictions. The death penalty for the sixth
man was commuted to life in prison. On Thursday, Mukhtaran Mai said she
fears her life is now in danger.



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