There were emotional scenes at the Waitakere District Court today at the first appearance of the man accused of stabbing to death 21-year-old woman Farzana Yaqubi in West Auckland on Monday.
Farzana's family screamed and repeatedly shouted “how could you?” at the man, as he took the stand to face a charge of murder. One woman shouted “she was just a child.” The group yelled abuse, calling the man a coward.
A woman appeared to faint and the group were helped from the room.
Farzana's father is one of a group of refugees who arrived in New Zealand after fleeing Taliban persecution in 2001.
Outside court three friends who went to high school with Farzana described their disbelief at her violent death, saying she was a “bubbly” person.
They urged people to help others who might be in trouble, saying “it’s really sad that no one came to help her when she was screaming”.
They said they don’t know the offender and don’t know if their friend knew her attacker either.
Neighbours spoke of hearing screams and now feel less safe than they did previously. (Source: 1News)
The man, who has no family in New Zealand, was granted interim name suppression so he could let family overseas know of his arrest. He entered no plea and will appear in the Auckland High Court in February.
Hazara Afghan Association Incorporated President Assadullah Nazari says the community has been rocked by Farzana alleged murder.
“She was really patient, really focused on her goals and wanted to better herself as a person. She was giving and thoughtful.”
He says the victim’s family had the chance to see Farzana for the last time today.
He says the family does not know the man accused of her murder.
He says the Hazara community is concerned about the potential motivation behind the killing.
“We hope it wasn’t like the Christchurch attack. We left our country to live somewhere safe.”
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