Wife allegedly murdered by husband rejected his extremism, a court heard

A MELBOURNE woman who allegedly had fingers amputated and eyes gouged out by husband rejected his extremism.

A woman's body was found in Broadmeadows, wrapped in plastic and a blanket. Picture: Channel 7

A MELBOURNE woman allegedly murdered by her Islamic State sympathising husband once refused to read a book about sharia law so he sliced her hand, a court has heard.

The young mother-of-three was found in bushes in the suburb of Broadmeadows in June last year and her husband was later charged with her murder.

A male relative testified at the accused’s committal hearing on Friday that the alleged killer had told him on more than one occasion of his desire to fight for IS in Syria, and that this had caused conflict with his wife.

“He plainly told me that he wants to fight and this country is not for us,” the relative said.

“He gave her a sharia law book and she said, ‘I don’t want to follow it’ and then he sliced her hand.”

Police documents tendered to the court say the wife’s objection to her husband’s Jihadist interests may have led to his slaughter of her in front of their children.

She was found by a jogger wrapped in plastic wrap, a quilt and electrical tape, with injuries including a gouged-out right eye and two amputated fingers.

The relative gave evidence in line with police allegations that the accused exerted strong control over his wife and was physically violent towards her.

“He told me that his wife doesn’t leave the house. She leaves the house once every six months and that’s with him,” he said.

He said she always stood behind her husband in the presence of other men and wore full face and body coverings.

During a visit to their relative’s house, his wife had told him the woman unveiled herself revealing a bruised eye.

The relative also testified that the accused murderer was concerned about “magic” and had told him his wife’s parents were evil and had put a spell on him.

Originally published as Wife allegedly murdered by husband rejected his extremism, a court heard