Pakistani police arrest brother of slain model

In this picture taken on June 28, 2016, Pakistani fashion model Qandeel Baloch speaks during a press conference in Lahore, Pakistan. Baloch, who recently stirred controversy by posting pictures of herself with a Muslim cleric on social media, was strangled to death by her brother, police said Saturday, July 16, 2016. (AP Photo/M. Jameel)

by: Carolyn Yaussy

Posted: Jul 17, 2016 / 06:29 AM EDT

Updated: Jul 17, 2016 / 06:29 AM EDT

MULTAN, Pakistan (AP) – Pakistani police say the brother of slain model Qandeel Baloch has confessed to strangling her to death for “family honor” because she posted “shameful” pictures on Facebook.

Baloch had stirred controversy by posting pictures online of herself with a prominent Muslim cleric. She was found dead on Saturday at her family home in the central city of Multan. Her brother, Waseem Azeem, was arrested Sunday.

Multan police chief Akram Azhar says authorities will charge Azeem with murder and seek the “maximum punishment.” Murder carries a potential death sentence, but under Pakistani law the family of the victim would be able to pardon him.

Nearly 1,000 women are killed by close relatives in Pakistan each year in so-called “honor killings” for violating conservative norms on love and marriage.

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This story has been corrected to show that the family can pardon Azeem even if he is convicted of murder.What others are clicking on: