AN ‘OBSESSED’ stalker who murdered a teen TikTok star after she rejected his advances has been sentenced to death.
Umar Hayat, now 23, broke into the home of 17-year-old Sana Yousaf in Pakistan last June, where he shot her dead.
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Popular TikTok star Sana Yousaf, 17, from Pakistan, was shot dead in her home last year Credit: Instagram
Umar Hayat, now 23, has been sentenced to death for the crime, which sparked nationwide condemnation Credit: AFP
He confessed to the crime in July and revealed his one-sided obsession with Yousaf following online interactions.
The Islamabad court also ordered Hayat to pay 2.5 million rupees – the equivalent of £6,700 – in compensation to Yousaf’s family.
Syed Yousaf Hassan, father of Sana Yousaf, described the verdict as “a lesson for all such criminals in society.”
Investigators tracked down and arrested Hayat after reviewing footage of him leaving Yousaf’s street after the shooting, according to police.
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Sana Yousaf had a wide TikTok fanbase in Pakistan, with hundreds of thousands of people following her account after the 17-year-old’s death Credit: Instagram
Sana Yousaf was a Tiktoker in Islamabad Credit: Instagram
A police probe revealed that Hayat had travelled to Islamabad days before the killing to wish Yousaf a happy birthday.
Yousaf’s said she did not want to meet him but he broke into her home – where they had an argument, according to Pakistani media.
Investigators said it was then that he killed the teenager – which was was witnessed by her mother and aunt.
The killing of the 17-year-old – who had a wide following in Pakistan – sparked nationwide condemnation.
Parents of Pakistani TikTok influencer Sana Yousaf spoke outside a Pakistani court Credit: AFP
Domestic abuse – how to get help
DOMESTIC abuse can affect anyone – including men – and does not always involve physical violence.
Here are some signs that you could be in an abusive relationship:
Emotional abuse – Including being belittled, blamed for the abuse – gaslighting – being isolated from family and friends, having no control over your finances, what you where and who you speak to
Threats and intimidation – Some partners might threaten to kill or hurt you, destroy your belongings, stalk or harass you
Physical abuse – This can range from slapping or hitting to being shoved over, choked or bitten.
Sexual abuse – Being touched in a way you do not want to be touched, hurt during sex, pressured into sex or forced to have sex when you do not consent.
If any of the above apply to you or a friend, you can call these numbers:
Remember, you are not alone.
1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men will experience domestic abuse over the course of their lifetime.
Every 30 seconds the police receive a call for help relating to domestic abuse.
Hundreds of thousands of TikTok users began following Yousaf’s account after her death.
She originally hailed from Chitral, a scenic northern region, while her videos were known for promoting traditional Chitrali music and dress.
Hours before her murder, Yousaf posted a photo celebrating her birthday with friends.
The case is but part of a wider issue in Pakistan, where women are punished for their independence.
“When young women assert boundaries or say no to romantic or sexual advances, it bruises the male ego, especially in a society that teaches men entitlement over women’s bodies and choices,” Nighat Dad, the executive director of research-based advocacy organisation, Digital Rights Foundation, told Al Jazeera.