In a significant development, police in Khyber district’s Bara tehsil rescued a 54-year-old French woman, Sylvia Yasmina, along with her children, following reports of prolonged domestic abuse. The operation was carried out after authorities received verified information on June 18, 2026.
Capital City Police Officer Dr. Mian Saeed confirmed that the Khyber Police raided the residence where Sylvia had been living since 2014 with her Pakistani husband. The woman has five children, one of whom faces hearing and speech impairments. A case has been registered against her husband, and investigations along with legal proceedings are currently underway.
After the rescue, Sylvia and her children were placed in protective custody and transferred to the Women Police Station in Peshawar to ensure their safety and facilitate further legal action. In her statement, Sylvia described enduring continuous abuse and confinement, stating she was not permitted to leave the house.
The FIR filed on her behalf details the harsh conditions endured by Sylvia and her children since 2014, including repeated assaults and deprivation of freedom. She reported visible scars on their faces and bodies as evidence of the abuse and urged authorities to take criminal action against her husband, whom she characterized as a violent individual mistreating the family daily.
Officials also noted that Sylvia expressed a desire to return to France. In response, Pakistan’s Foreign Office has notified the French Embassy, while the investigation into the matter continues.
