A 17-year-old Iraqi girl was murdered by her father after she fell in love with a British soldier she met while working on an aid program in Basra.
Rand Abdel-Qader was stamped upon, suffocated and stabbed by her father, then given an unceremonious burial to emphasize her disgrace. Police released her father without charge two hours after his arrest.
The pair, whose relationship was innocent, only ever met while working at the aid station. The soldier was helping deliver relief to displaced families as part of his regimental duties. Ms. Abdel-Qader was a volunteer worker.
On the day her father was told of their friendship by a friend, he accused her of having an affair with a British soldier and killed her in front of his wife and their sons.
A total of 47 young women died in “honor” killings in the city last year. This is believed to be the only case of an honor killing involving a British soldier.