A 54-year-old French woman and her children have been rescued by police in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Khyber district after authorities received information alleging that she had been subjected to years of domestic abuse.
According to police officials, a raid was conducted on June 18 in Bara tehsil after verified information was received regarding the situation. During the operation, French national Sylvia Yasmina and her children were recovered from the residence and taken into protective custody.
Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Dr Mian Saeed said a case has been registered against the woman’s Pakistani husband, and further investigations are underway. Authorities stated that Sylvia had been living in Bara since 2014 after marrying a Pakistani citizen. The couple has five children, including one child with hearing and speech impairments.
Following the rescue, Sylvia and her children were shifted to the Women Police Station in Peshawar to ensure their safety and facilitate legal proceedings.
In her statement to police, Sylvia alleged that she and her children had endured years of abuse and were not permitted to leave the house. According to the First Information Report (FIR), she claimed the family had been deprived of their freedom and repeatedly subjected to physical violence since 2014.
She further alleged that the abuse left visible injuries and scars on family members and requested that criminal action be taken against her husband. Police said she described him as violent and accused him of mistreating the family on a daily basis.
Officials noted that these allegations are currently under investigation, and legal proceedings will determine the facts of the case.
Authorities also confirmed that Sylvia has expressed a desire to return to France. In response to her request, Pakistan’s Foreign Office has informed the French Embassy and sought assistance in facilitating her repatriation.
The case has drawn attention to concerns surrounding domestic violence and the protection of foreign nationals living in Pakistan, with authorities pledging to ensure the safety and welfare of the woman and her children while the investigation continues.