Stoned woman's family arrested, husband admits killing ex-wife

A total of twelve people were arrested and charged with public stoning to death a pregnant Pakistani woman last week, all of whom are first degree relatives of the victim.

Farzana Parveen, 25, was killed in the city of Lahore, in front of the court, in what is called an 'honor killing', because her family believed she had shamed them by marrying someone of her own choice.

Out of the mob of 28 who attacked and killed her with bricks, the 12 taken into custody are her father, who said he had no regrets over killing his daughter, her brothers and her ex-husband.

Pakistani police officers were also put under investigation after being accused of witnessing the killing and doing nothing to interfere.

'Honor killings' like that of Parveen's, are rather common and are allowed under the protection of the law of Diyat which states that, if no one files charges, the accused are set free.

Many of the killings target women, though, as a way of restricting their rights. In 2013, 869 women fell victim to honor killings but their number could be much bigger than that, as the crimes often happen in rural areas and pass unknown.

Even Parveen's husband confessed to murdering his ex-wife so that he could marry Parveen. After spending one year in prison, he was released because his son formally forgave him. 'I wanted to send a proposal to Farzana, so I killed my wife,' Mohammad Iqbal stated.