THE BOOK: In 2022, Abida Raja became a familiar face to many. The little sister of politician Abid Raja published a book about a life of psychological and physical coercion and violence, over several decades. Photo: Janne Møller-Hansen / VG
On Tuesday, Abida Raja was due to meet her ex-husband in the Oslo District Court, where he is charged with violence, sexual assault and threats. It won’t be like this.
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Abida Raja’s ex-husband indicted for violence, sexual assault and threats The trial in Oslo District Court postponed indefinitely in similar situations Legal aid attorney Hege Salomon confirms that the police were notified of the danger that he would disappear Show more
She has prepared for four weeks in the Oslo district court, but on Friday afternoon she learns that the trial has been postponed indefinitely.
The ex-husband has apparently disappeared. The prosecution does not know where he is, and has not been able to summon him to court or serve the indictment.
She has warned them against this, she tells VG.
– I have told the police several times that he was going to escape and that they would not have to spend so long, says Abida Raja.
The ex-husband has claimed all along that he has denied criminal guilt, according to his defender Javeed Hussain Shah, for an indictment he describes as extensive and serious.
– This is very tough and burdensome to be in, Shah has told VG, but the defender also says that he does not know where the client is.
Three years have passed since he was reported
Now he is charged with violence, sexual assault and threats against his wife over a period of 22 years. He is also accused of violence against their four common children.
Meanwhile, Abida Raja, the younger sister of Liberal politician Abid Raja, has shocked many with his story.
The book she published in 2022 was written together with VG journalist Håkon Høydal, and describes a forced marriage characterized by violence and rape.
The trial cannot proceed without the defendant present
On Friday afternoon, the prosecutor in the case, State Attorney Alvar Randa, sent a request that the Oslo District Court adjourn the case.
– It has disappointed me very much and I am very sorry. We are the ones who stand in this, says Raja.
Her assistance lawyer, Hege Salomon, confirms that they notified the police several times about the danger that he would disappear.
SITTING IN: Abida Raja describes that she has lived with a fear that still sits in her body, and that makes her tremble when she talks about the trial. Photo: Janne Møller-Hansen / VG
Raja describes it as extremely stressful to prepare for a trial, three years after the report, without knowing whether it will come to fruition. It is felt on the body, she says, when she has now been told that the case has been postponed.
– I’m sitting here and my body is shaking as I speak, says Raja on the phone to VG.
– What does it mean to you to have the trial completed?
– It is very important. Not just for me and for my children, but for many others out there who experience something of the same. It is very important that we also get to feel justice, after so many years of injustice.
The defendant reported moving abroad
In the National Register of Citizens, he is listed as having moved to another country earlier this year. Raja asks why a man under investigation in such a serious case is not prevented from freely leaving the country.
State prosecutor Alvar Randa tells VG that they have done everything they can to find the defendant.
HANDSHAKES: During a lunch at the Palace to mark Women’s Day, 9 March, she shook hands with Queen Sonja. Photo: Janne Møller-Hansen / VG
Her book received a lot of attention when it came out, and Raja says she knows that many with a similar life story to hers are following the case. Now she is afraid of the effect it will have on others if the case is not closed.
– I get angry at how many women suffer every single day, I want a change to happen for them, she says.
Therefore, she also hopes that the police will search for the accused internationally and use all means available to bring an end to the case.
– I hope that they really grasp this and do something about it. We want to finish this, we cannot continue to live with an open question: will there be a trial?
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Published: 17.11.23 at 23:05
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2023-11-17 22:05:22
#Abida #Raja #disappointed #greatly
