A young Pakistani woman was allegedly imprisoned inside her husband’s family home in Italy for nearly a year to prevent her from learning Italian, meeting other people, and integrating into Italian society.
As reported by Il Giornale, investigators say the woman was kept in near-total isolation after arriving in Novellara in August 2025 to join her husband. She was allegedly denied independence, deprived of money, and subjected to repeated physical and psychological abuse.
Her 27-year-old husband has been arrested. Her 55-year-old father-in-law and two 21-year-old brothers-in-law have been banned from approaching or contacting her and ordered to wear electronic monitoring bracelets.
All four are suspected of domestic abuse, aggravated bodily harm, and attempted sexual assault.
According to the authorities, the family prevented the woman from learning Italian or building a life outside the home. Prosecutors say the restrictions formed part of a system of domestic segregation intended to keep her completely dependent and submissive.
She told investigators that she had been slapped, punched, kicked with reinforced safety shoes, and whipped with a belt. The alleged abuse was accompanied by humiliation, death threats, financial control, and attempted sexual assaults.
The case emerged after another alleged attack on June 4. Investigators say the woman was beaten by her husband, father-in-law, and brothers-in-law, leaving her with multiple injuries and bruises.
She was taken to hospital, where doctors assessed her injuries as requiring seven days to heal. Her relatives allegedly then placed her back in a car.
During the journey, she opened the door and jumped out. Two passersby found her in a state of shock with visible injuries and contacted police and emergency services.
After being returned to hospital, the woman gave a statement through an interpreter detailing months of alleged violence and confinement.
The evidence gathered during the subsequent investigation led a judge at Reggio Emilia Court to impose precautionary measures against the four men.
The case has again focused attention on Novellara, where 18-year-old Saman Abbas was murdered by members of her Pakistani family in 2021 after refusing a forced marriage and seeking greater independence.
Italy’s Court of Cassation last month upheld the convictions of five relatives involved in Saman’s honor killing. Her parents and two cousins received life sentences, while her uncle was jailed for 22 years.
Saman was strangled after rejecting a marriage to an older man in Pakistan and resisting her family’s attempts to control her relationships, clothing, and personal life.
