A French woman and her five children have been rescued in Pakistan after authorities alleged they were kept in long-term isolation for nearly 12 years. The investigators said that the children were denied education and the family was cut off from normal social contact, reports BBC. The case came to light after one of the children reportedly managed to escape and alert authorities, triggering a police rescue operation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
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Family “effectively imprisoned” since 2014, says victim
According to Yasmina, 54, her husband had "effectively imprisoned" the family since they moved to Pakistan from Australia in 2014.
Investigators say the woman, identified as Sylvie Yasmina, told authorities that life inside the home was heavily restricted and that she and her children were not allowed to live freely or interact with others.
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“Not allowed to meet anyone,” children allegedly deprived of schooling
A senior police officer told BBC Urdu that: "According to the woman... She was not allowed to meet anyone, their two older children had missed their studies, while the three younger children were born in Pakistan and never enrolled in school."
Authorities say this detail has become central to the investigation, as it suggests the children spent critical developmental years without access to formal education or normal social life.
Husband allegedly “residing illegally” in Australia when couple met
Officials have not yet publicly identified Yasmina’s husband, a Pakistani national, but investigators claim he was “residing illegally” in Australia when the couple first met.
Police said the family later moved to Pakistan in 2014, where the alleged confinement began.
“Beats us and puts pressure daily,” says statement to police
In a written statement shared with police and partially published by local media, Yasmina described sustained abuse and fear inside the household.
She said: "We were deprived [of our] freedom, my husband didn't take care of us the way he should as a husband and the father of my children. He beats us and put pressure on our lives on a daily basis,"
She also added: "I felt that my future was already ruined, the future of the children would also be ruined."
Escape of child led to dramatic rescue operation
The situation reportedly came to light when one of the sons managed to escape and reach authorities. Police then carried out a raid on the home in Bara, near the Afghan border, where they found Yasmina and her five children.
The husband was arrested following the operation, and an investigation is currently underway into the allegations of long-term confinement and abuse.
Children’s education and future now under review
Authorities are now assessing the condition of the children, many of whom reportedly spent their entire lives under restricted circumstances. Officials are also working on determining rehabilitation and educational support after years of missed schooling.
The case has sparked concern due to the prolonged nature of the alleged isolation and the fact that multiple children were reportedly born during the period of confinement, never experiencing formal education or normal social interaction.
