Woman allegedly forced to marry cousin in Pakistan returns home to Spain after year-long ordeal

A woman from Spain was allegedly deceived into traveling to Pakistan and forced to marry a cousin, a case that has now been resolved, according to police reports. Two men, aged 41 and 45, were apprehended at Barcelona airport on July 21 in connection with the alleged human trafficking for the purpose of forced marriage, as reported by Catalonia’s regional police.

The woman had initially traveled to Pakistan in September 2025, following a relative's claim that her family had reconsidered their opposition to her relationship with a Pakistani man who owns a computer shop in Barcelona. Upon arrival, however, her Spanish passport was reportedly seized by relatives, and she was confined to a family home, where she was forced into a marriage against her will, despite her objections.

Her partner informed the police in April that she had been forcibly taken to Pakistan by family members. Prior to his own attack with a bladed weapon in Barcelona by two men allegedly connected to the case, he had reported her disappearance.

Spanish police, collaborating with Spain’s embassy in Pakistan, successfully located the woman and orchestrated her rescue and return to Spain. She received specialized support after her return. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities working to identify all individuals involved in the alleged forced marriage and the assault on her partner.

It is noteworthy that Barcelona has a significant Pakistani population, with over 26,000 registered Pakistani nationals, making it the third-largest foreign nationality group in the city after Italians and Colombians, as highlighted by AFP.