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A Victorian mother has been found guilty of forcing her daughter to marry a man, who later went on to murder the young bride.
A jury today found Sakina Muhammad Jan, from Shepparton, guilty of coercing her daughter Ruqia Haidari into marrying Perth man Mohammad Ali Halimi in November 2019.
Ms Haidari, then aged 21, was killed by her new husband six weeks later.
Halimi used a kitchen knife to slash her throat and then called the brother of the victim, telling him: "Come and get the dead body of your sister".
Halimi was sentenced to life in prison by a Western Australian court, while Ms Haidari's mother was also charged with forcing her daughter into the marriage after a federal police investigation.
A two-week trial held in Victoria's County Court heard Halimi flew from Perth to meet Ms Haidari's family in Shepparton in May 2019.
The pair were set up by Ms Muhammad Jan's former friend, Shukria Muqudas, who was known as a matchmaker in the local Hazara community.
Daughter did not want to get married, court hears
Social worker Kerrie Young, who knew the victim, contacted police due to concerns she was being forced into the marriage.
"I remember Ruqia indicating that she was given an ultimatum. She was advised that she should get married to this man," Ms Young told the court.
Federal police also travelled to Shepparton to interview Ms Haidari due to concerns "she was at risk of forced marriage".
Family members of Ms Haidari told the court Halimi appeared to be "respectful" and that he "loved" his bride-to-be.
Two Islamic "nikah" religious ceremonies were held to formalise the relationship, prior to the wedding in November 2019 in front of 500 guests.
However, the matchmaker Ms Muqudas told the court Ms Haidari wanted to end the relationship with Halimi before the second nikah, but was overruled by her mother.
Ms Haidari is said to have told her mother: "I don't want to get married … I don't want this and I'm not going to accept this at all."
The court heard the mother, Ms Muhammad Jan, responded: "Are you my mother or I'm your mother? I can make decisions for you."
"Do you think it is up to you … no matter what, you need to listen to me".
By that stage, Ms Muhammad Jan had already made a dowry payment to the groom.
She also did not want to pull out of the arrangement due to fears the family's reputation would be damaged, Ms Muqudas claimed.
Ms Muhammad Jan released on bail
Human trafficking investigators with the federal police charged Ms Muhammad Jan in October 2020 with forcing her daughter to enter the marriage.
Ms Muhammad Jan pleaded not guilty at her County Court trial, but was found guilty by the jury who deliberated for a day after hearing evidence over two weeks.
The forced marriage offence falls under Commonwealth law and carries a maximum penalty of seven years' jail.
Ms Muhammed Jan was released on bail ahead of a pre-sentence hearing on July 23.