Despite her mother proclaiming her innocence, Bangladeshi 14-year-old Hena Akhter was convicted of adultery, and, according to Sharia Law, sentenced to 101 lashes. She dropped after 70, and was taken to a hospital, where she died one week later. Initially, an autopsy report deemed her death a suicide, but a further investigation has uncovered some chilling details. Growing up in a shared hut in rural Shariatpur, Hena was repeatedly harassed by her 42-year-old cousin, Mahbub Khan. One night, according to Hena’s sister, Khan beat and raped her, and when his wife intervened, she dragged the teenage girl back to their hut and trampled her on the floor. The next day, the imam ordered a fatwa, sentencing the couple to an illicit relationship. Khan only ended up receiving a few lashes, unlike Hena. After Hena’s severely beaten body was exhumed and doctors confirmed she died of internal bleeding, authorities launched an investigation, charging the doctors on Monday for Hena’s “false post-mortem report,” and then arresting several people, including Khan, in connection with Hena’s death.
