Afghan Cleric Loses Nose, Ears Over Alleged Sexual Abuse

Authorities in northern Afghanistan say the parents of a 12-year-old Afghan girl have cut off the nose and ears of a cleric to avenge the alleged sexual abuse of their 12-year-old daughter.

Javid Basharat, a police spokesman for Baghlan Province, says the girl’s parents and the cleric have both been arrested in the case.

The parents admit they cut off 30-year-old cleric Sayed Ahmad’s nose and ears with a knife after inviting him for dinner earlier this week and tying his hands behind his back in Baghlan’s Jar-e Khoshk village.

Police say the cleric, who also is the cousin of the girl, admitted that he had abused her three months ago using anesthesia to paralyze her.