Woman tried in Braga for mutilating husband's genitals and scalding with hot water
A 44-year-old woman, a native of Kazakhstan, will stand trial at Braga Court for domestic violence against her ex-husband, including genital mutilation and burns.
Kazakh defendant accused of eleven years of mistreatment of husband in Braga
A 44-year-old woman will be tried at Braga Court for serious domestic violence against her ex-husband, according to Correio da Manhã. The defendant, identified as Lazzat T., is a native of Kazakhstan and is alleged to have physically, verbally and psychologically assaulted her partner for 11 years, until their divorce in 2024.
The couple's three children, aged 10, 9 and 3, repeatedly witnessed the episodes of mistreatment suffered by their father.
Blows with broomsticks and rolling pins
According to the public prosecution service (MP) indictment, cited by Jornal de Notícias, the defendant struck her ex-husband on the head, arms, legs and genitals with broomsticks or wooden kitchen rolling pins. She also hurled insults at him such as "drunk" or "son of a bitch".
In late 2023, in one of the gravest incidents described in the indictment, the woman poured a pot of boiling water over her partner's body whilst he was sitting on the sofa, causing him burns on his back.
Genital mutilation in the presence of children
In January 2024, after striking her husband with the rolling pin, the defendant seized a kitchen knife and threatened to cut off her partner's genitals. A few days later, she carried out the threat: she cut off one of her husband's testicles in the presence of their three minor children. The victim had to receive hospital treatment as a result of the injuries.
The public prosecution service described in the indictment that the complainant was forced to live in a state of emotional servitude and psychological terror, becoming a defenceless victim of gratuitous and systematic violence, according to Jornal de Notícias.
The man is now seeking compensation of six thousand euros for moral damages.
Awaiting trial at liberty
Lazzat T. awaits the progress of the legal proceedings at liberty, subject to a bail measure of signed undertaking and residence requirement.
Increase in men as victims of domestic violence in Portugal
The case comes at a time of growing requests for help from men who are victims of domestic violence in Portugal. Last year, 774 men assaulted by current or former partners were assisted by the Association for Victim Support (APAV), according to Jornal de Notícias.
Over the past five years, the number of cases recorded by APAV has increased by 137%. In total, 1,258 men who were victims of domestic violence have been assisted — most attacked by marriage or dating partners, although some cases involve assaults by parents or children.
According to the association, the increase in requests for help does not necessarily reflect a worsening of violence, but rather greater awareness of available services and broader training of authorities to identify and respond to these situations.
Source: Correio da Manhã