A man from the northern city of Istaravshan has killed and beheaded his 17-year-old sister because of rumors of her ‘easy virtue’.    

According to the Interior Ministry’s website, she had been reported missing since last month.  The beheaded body of the girl was found buried in the old canal on the outskirts of the village of Uyas.

The girl was reportedly identified as the 11th grade student at School # 42 in Istaravshan, Orzugul Ashourqulova, who had been reported missing.  

Her 23-year-old brother, Tolibjon Ashourqulov, resident of the village of Oboddara, was arrested on suspicion of committing that crime.

Ashourqulov reportedly confessed to killing his sister.  He killed her after he heard rumors that she is dating men, says the Interior Ministry’s website. 

In the evening of November 28, the man reportedly strangled his sister and then decapitated her.  

Criminal proceedings have been instituted against Tolibjon Ashourqulov under the provisions of Article 104 (1) of Tajikistan’s Penal Code – murder; an investigation is under way.