Chicago Tribune (from wire services)
April 10, 2001

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN A Swedish appeals court upheld life sentences Monday for two
Kurdish brothers who murdered their 19-year-old niece in Kurdistan because her behavior in
Sweden broke traditional values.

The court heard that the brothers shot Pela Atroshi because of her West European lifestyle
that included wearing short skirts, using makeup, going out with boys and mixing socially
with Swedish people.

Pela, who came to Sweden in 1995 with her family, was killed in June 1999 in Iraqi
Kurdistan.

It was the first time people were convicted of an "honor killing" carried out abroad but
planned in Sweden.

The court relied on evidence provided by the dead woman's sister, which was confirmed via
a video interview with her mother in Kurdistan, court sources said.

The court sentenced the gunman, Rezkar Atroshi, 38, and accomplice Dakhaz Atroshi, 49.
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The Kurdistan Observer
www.kurdistanobserver.com