Three members of a Canadian family of Afghan origin have received life sentences for the first-degree murder of members of their immediate family.

The jury in Kingston, Ontario, found Mohammad Shafia, 58, his wife Tooba Yahya, 42, and their son Hamed, 21, guilty of murdering Shafia's three daughters and his other wife in a so-called “honor killing.”

Geeti, 13, Sahar, 17, Zainab, 19, and Shafia's other wife Rona Amir Mohammad, 52, were found drowned in a car in a canal in Kingston, Ontario, in June 2009.

Prosecutors argued that the sisters were murdered after "shaming" their family by refusing to wear the traditional Muslim headscarf, the hijab, and by embracing a liberal outlook.

"It is difficult to conceive of a more despicable, more heinous, more honorless crime," Judge Robert Maranger said. He added that their "completely twisted concept of honor" had "absolutely no place in any civilized society."

Following the verdict, Justice Minister Rob Nicholson said honor killings were "barbaric and unacceptable in Canada."

The defendants had maintained their innocence throughout the 10-week trial.

Speaking through a translator after the verdict, Mohammad Shafia said, "We are not criminals, we are not murderers, we didn't commit the murder and this is unjust."

First-degree murder carries an automatic life sentence with no chance of parole for 25 years.

Author: Darren Mara (AFP, AP)
Editor: Sarah Berning