13 accused in Mukhtaran Mai rape case freed from Pak prison

The Lahore High Court had initially ordered the release of the 13 accused in 2005.

Mukhtaran Mai had challenged the High Court8217;s order in application filed in the Supreme Court.

The apex court upheld the High Court8217;s decision last week and said the accused should be freed if they were not wanted in any other cases.

The Supreme Court upheld the life imprisonment awarded to Abdul Khaliq,described as the main accused in the case.

Following criticism of the apex court8217;s verdict by rights activists and Mukhtaran Mai8217;s remarks that she feared for her life,Interior Minister Rehman Malik said the government will provide security and legal assistance to her.

In 2002,Mukhtar Mai was a seamstress in Meerwala,a small village in Punjab province,when her 12-year-old brother was falsely accused of having an affair with a woman from a powerful clan.

To avenge the woman8217;s honour,the village council ordered her gang-rape.