PAN, December 27, 2011

Afghan teenage girl locked up for months in toilet

Sara's husband used to beat her and denied her enough food

By Habibur Rahman Sherzai

Sahar Gul, a 15-year old girl brutally tortured by her in-laws for refusing prostitution. (Photo: RFE/RL)

Police rescued a teenage married girl who was kept locked-up in a toilet for six months by her in-laws in northern Baghlan province, officials said.

The 15-year-old was found locked up-in the toilet after her parents informed police, the second police district chief, Col. Fazal Rahman, told Pajhwok Afghan News.

Sar Gul was married to Mohammad Azim, 30, nine months ago, he said, adding the girl was locked up when she refused having sex with men brought home by her in-laws.

Sara's husband used to beat her and denied her enough food, the police official quoted the girl as saying. The girl's mother-in-law has been arrested, but her husband managed to flee.

The victim's parents are living in Badakhshan, women affairs director, Rahima Zafari, said. She added the girl was admitted to the Pul-i-Khumri Civil Hospital with severe mental stress. Zafari demanded the criminals' early arrest and punishment.

The hospital head, Dr. Gul Mohammad Wardak, said the girl had her nails pulled out with pliers and there were burn signs on her body. He said she was in a critical condition and might be transferred to Kabul for better treatment.

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