Alleged Pakistan Gang-Rape Victim To Appeal Acquittals

By RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal

February 01, 2013
PESHAWAR, Pakistan -- A Pakistani woman who says she was the victim of a kidnapping and gang-rape plans to appeal a court decision acquitting her alleged attackers.

Uzma Ayub, 17, told RFE/RL on February 1 she will take her case to a higher court.

On January 31, the court in Peshawar acquitted 13 men, including several police officers accused of kidnapping and raping Ayub.

The judge said the prosecution failed to provide sufficient evidence to prove their guilt.

Ayub, a native of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, was reportedly held captive for months before escaping in September 2011.

She gave a birth to a baby girl in January 2012, and the baby was given up for adoption.

Ayub's brother, Alamzeb, was killed outside the court in 2011.

There have been no convictions for his killing.