Justice acquitted as court jails four Afghan policemen for teenager's rape

Before a packed courtroom in the capital, a judicial panel found four members of the Afghan Local Police guilty of involvement in the rape of a shepherd's daughter in a case that tested the judicial system's ability to hold the controversial force accountable.

The four police officers, who are from Kunduz province in the north of Afghanistan, were sentenced to 16 years in prison for the sexual assault in May of Lal Bibi, a woman of about 18.

The men and their defence lawyer said they would appeal against the verdict.

Among those held to account was the unit's commander, Muhammad Ishaq Nezaami. He had ties to many local power brokers and initially appeared untouchable, although local people charged that he had been a chief backer of the assault, allowing his truck to be used and supporting his men who carried out the rape. He was detained only after President Hamid Karzai issued clear instructions that all the assailants were to be brought to justice.

During the trial, Nezaami denied that Bibi had been raped, saying there had been a marriage contract with one of the men. He then suggested that rape was even more unlikely because she was unattractive.

"Unveil her and see her face and tell me if she deserves to get married with anyone," he said during the proceedings.