Mother who 'abused' power to force daughter into deadly marriage jailed by Victorian court (2024)

In short:

Sakina Muhammad Jan has become the first person in Australia to be jailed for breaking forced marriage laws after she ordered her daughter to marry Mohammad Ali Halimi in November 2019.

Her 21-year-old daughter was murdered by her new husband six weeks after the arranged marriage.

What's next?

Jan must serve at least a year of the three-year sentence in jail.

A Victorian mother has cried and protested her innocence as she became the first person in Australia to be jailed for breaking forced marriage laws.

Sakina Muhammad Jan will have to serve a minimum of 12 months' jail after being found guilty of pressuring her daughter to marry a man who went on to murder her in 2020.

After the wedding, Ruqia Haidari, 21, moved across the country to live with her new husband in Perth.

Mother who 'abused' power to force daughter into deadly marriage jailed by Victorian court (1)

Six weeks later, he'd slashed her throat with a kitchen knife.

A Western Australian court sentenced Mohammad Ali Halimi to life for the killing.

Jan was supported by about 15 family and Hazara community members in Melbourne's County Court on Monday, some of whom wept as Judge Fran Dalziel sentenced her to three years' jail.

The judge agreed to a recognisance order, allowing Jan to walk free after 12 months if she agreed not to commit further offences.

After the sentence was imposed, Jan sat in the court dock and told her lawyer she refused to accept the judge's decision before eventually being led away.

Extra security and paramedics were then called to the courtroom as another woman collapsed while having a medical episode.

Mother 'abused' her power in pressuring daughter into marriage

Jan's family are Afghan Hazara refugees who fled persecution from the Taliban and settled in the regional Victorian town of Shepparton.

Earlier this year, a jury found Jan guilty of entering her daughter into a forced Islamic "nikah" marriage.

Jan's trial was told a local matchmaker set up Ms Haidari with Mohammad Ali Halimi, but it was her mother who applied pressure to make the union permanent after dowry arrangements were made.

Mother who 'abused' power to force daughter into deadly marriage jailed by Victorian court (2)

The court heard Ms Haidari did not want to go through with the marriage but was told, "I can make decisions for you … no matter what, you need to listen to me".

Jan's lawyers said she suffered "enduring grief" over the death of her daughter but continued to maintain her innocence.

In sentencing remarks, Judge Dalziel said Jan had "abused" her power as a mother.

"It must be made clear to everyone in our country that forced marriage is against the law and forcing someone to take part in a marriage against their will leads to significant consequences for the offender," Judge Dalziel said.

She said Jan's daughter was given an ultimatum to get married or face being kicked out of home.

Mother who 'abused' power to force daughter into deadly marriage jailed by Victorian court (3)

Judge Dalziel said she accepted Jan thought she was acting in her daughter's best interests, but "you knew it was wrong to force a person to marry".

"She did not want to get married until she was 27 or 28 years old. She wanted to pursue study and get a job," Judge Dalziel said.

Forced marriage laws were introduced into federal parliament in 2013 and authorities have warned about a rise in cases involving girls and young women.

The judge said she believed it was the first time a conviction had been imposed for the offence, noting there was another ongoing case in NSW.

Afghan community leader denounces forced marriage

Ali Murat, the president of the Goulburn Valley Afghan Association, said his community did not accept forced marriage.

But while he respected the court decision, Mr Murat said he was "sad" about the outcome.

"In our community in Australia, [it would] be better [if] we could sit together … and to explain everyone they can't do this bad thing," he said.

Mr Murat, who wrote a letter of support for Jan which was presented to the court, said the local community would support her in the future.

Australian Federal Police (AFP) Commander Raegan Stewart said the number of forced marriage complaints were on the rise, with 90 being reported to the authority in the 2022-23 financial year.

But she said the crime was often under-reported as people were unaware they were victims, or were scared to come forward.

"The investigation would not have been possible without the assistance of members of the community, including many witnesses who came forward to police despite community and cultural barriers," she said.

"We hope this conviction highlights how seriously the AFP takes these matters, and its commitment to bringing perpetrators before the courts."

Posted, updated

Mother who 'abused' power to force daughter into deadly marriage jailed by Victorian court (2024)
Top Articles
Tunica Sheriff Jail Roster View One
EGOSOFT · Neues · Aktuell
SZA: Weinen und töten und alles dazwischen
Fort Morgan Hometown Takeover Map
Mountain Dew Bennington Pontoon
Faint Citrine Lost Ark
Alan Miller Jewelers Oregon Ohio
Practical Magic 123Movies
How to know if a financial advisor is good?
America Cuevas Desnuda
Women's Beauty Parlour Near Me
2021 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Pl electric for sale - Portland, OR - craigslist
Campaign Homecoming Queen Posters
Danielle Longet
Helloid Worthington Login
Oxford House Peoria Il
What Is A Good Estimate For 380 Of 60
Nalley Tartar Sauce
272482061
SXSW Film & TV Alumni Releases – July & August 2024
Billionaire Ken Griffin Doesn’t Like His Portrayal In GameStop Movie ‘Dumb Money,’ So He’s Throwing A Tantrum: Report
Craigslist Red Wing Mn
Zack Fairhurst Snapchat
Accuweather Mold Count
CVS Near Me | Columbus, NE
Scheuren maar: Ford Sierra Cosworth naar de veiling
Project Reeducation Gamcore
Inbanithi Age
Dei Ebill
fft - Fast Fourier transform
Hdmovie2 Sbs
Vera Bradley Factory Outlet Sunbury Products
Things to do in Pearl City: Honolulu, HI Travel Guide by 10Best
Shauna's Art Studio Laurel Mississippi
Nicole Wallace Mother Of Pearl Necklace
Go Upstate Mugshots Gaffney Sc
Greater Keene Men's Softball
Ukg Dimensions Urmc
Ise-Vm-K9 Eol
Housing Intranet Unt
Mvnt Merchant Services
Blackstone Launchpad Ucf
Hireright Applicant Center Login
Television Archive News Search Service
Professors Helpers Abbreviation
Ehc Workspace Login
Wolf Of Wallstreet 123 Movies
Scott Surratt Salary
18 Seriously Good Camping Meals (healthy, easy, minimal prep! )
Houston Primary Care Byron Ga
Wayward Carbuncle Location
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Geoffrey Lueilwitz

Last Updated:

Views: 5505

Rating: 5 / 5 (60 voted)

Reviews: 91% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Geoffrey Lueilwitz

Birthday: 1997-03-23

Address: 74183 Thomas Course, Port Micheal, OK 55446-1529

Phone: +13408645881558

Job: Global Representative

Hobby: Sailing, Vehicle restoration, Rowing, Ghost hunting, Scrapbooking, Rugby, Board sports

Introduction: My name is Geoffrey Lueilwitz, I am a zealous, encouraging, sparkling, enchanting, graceful, faithful, nice person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.