Pakistani man who killed TikTok star Sana Yousaf for rejecting him sentenced to death
The 22-year-old man shot 17-year-old influencer Sana Yousaf at her home in Islamabad after she repeatedly rejected his advances
Sana Yousaf’s murder in June drew nationwide condemnation and reignited debate over women’s safety, after some online comments – alongside condolences – blamed her for her own death.
A judge announced to a cramped Islamabad courtroom on Tuesday afternoon that 22-year-old Umar Hayat was sentenced to death and fined US$7,200.
“This verdict is a lesson for anyone who commits such acts, showing that they should never be repeated,” Yousaf’s father told journalists outside the courtroom, alongside her mother.
Yousaf had millions of followers on social media, where she posted videos about food, fashion and skincare. She also spoke openly about relationship problems, a topic still considered taboo in the Muslim-majority country.