80-year-old wife killer sentenced to 16 years in jail

ASADABAD (PAN): An 80-year-old man was sentenced to 16 years in jail for killing his wife in eastern Kunar province, an official said on Tuesday.

Noor Mohammad Khan was convicted at a public trial in Asadabad on the charge of uxorcide his 70-year-old spouse.

“Under Articles 396 and 145 of the judicial law and the law on violence against women, Khan was sentenced to 16 years of imprisonment,” the judicial panel head, Mohibullah, announced.

Prosecutor Lotfullah urged the judges to award capital punishment to the accused. Defence lawyer for Khan, Hamidullah, said he would move the appellate court against the verdict.  

Khan admitted killing his wife. “I will say nothing about the judges, who sentenced me to 16 years in jail, because I believe I will not be alive for another 16 years.”

A witness in the case, Dr. Hamidullah who is neighbour of the couple, told the judicial team that Khan had hit his wife with an axe, causing her serious injuries in the head and eyes.

However, neighbours Haji Mohammad Jan, Haji Baw Jan and Jumati called the accused a good person. Jan said: “I cannot believe that Noor Mohammad Khan had killed his wife.”

mm/ma/mud