Lawyer: NYer forced wife to violate Muslim beliefs

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October 30, 2009

Anonymous The News Courier Fri Oct 30, 2009, 10:56 AM CDT

NEW YORK (AP) — A defense lawyer says a woman accused of slashing the neck of her sleeping husband was “emotionally abused” and forced to violate her Muslim beliefs.

Rabia Sarwar is free on bail after appearing in a Staten Island court Thursday on attempted murder and other charges.

Her lawyer, Joe Licitra, says Sarwar’s husband “got her to drink alcohol, eat pork” and wear clothing that violated her religious beliefs.

Her husband, Sheikh “Eddie” Naseem, has surface wounds on his neck, face and hands. He says his wife needs psychological help. Licitra says Sarwar was previously treated for depression.

Naseem told the New York Post that she wasn’t forced to do anything. He says Sarwar is a native of Pakistan who was having a hard time adjusting to American culture.

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