In Pakistan, a man accused of murdering 17-year-old TikTok star Sana Yousaf, after she repeatedly rejected his advances, was officially charged on Saturday, according to an AFP reporter present in court.
Yousaf’s murder in June sparked nationwide outrage and reignited discussions on women’s safety, as some online comments, alongside condolences, unjustly blamed her for her death.
The 22-year-old suspect, Umar Hayat, entered a plea of not guilty in Islamabad’s district court on Saturday.
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“All the accusations against me are baseless and false,” Hayat stated to Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka.
Yousaf had garnered over a million followers on her social media accounts, including TikTok, where she posted videos showcasing her favorite cafes, skincare products, and traditional attire.
TikTok enjoys immense popularity in Pakistan, providing women with both a platform and an income source.
Police have labeled the incident a “gruesome and cold-blooded murder,” claiming Hayat killed Yousaf after she consistently rejected his proposals.
Some social media comments about Yousaf’s murder suggested it was justified in a society where honor codes dictate women’s behavior.
“You reap what you sow,” one comment read.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan notes that violence against women is widespread, with incidents of women being attacked after declining marriage proposals not being uncommon.
In 2021, 27-year-old Noor Mukadam was beheaded by her Pakistani-American boyfriend, Zahir Jaffer, after she declined his marriage proposal, causing widespread outrage.
