ROME, June 28: The father of a Pakistani immigrant girl and three other male relatives went on trial in Italy on Thursday, after being accused of murdering her last year for adopting a Western lifestyle and having an Italian boyfriend.

More than 200 women, mainly Muslim immigrants, held a vigil at the court in the northern city of Brescia in memory of the 20-year-old victim, Hina Saleem. One banner read: “I am Hina.”

They were joined by the imam of Turin, Abdellah Mechnoune, who told reporters: “Having Western customs doesn't violate any rule in the Quran.”

Prosecutors say the girl had her throat cut last August after her relatives decided in a family meeting her Western dressing and Italian boyfriend were unacceptable for them as Muslims.--Reuters