Sana Yousaf: Man charged with the murder of teen TikTok star

The 17-year-old's murder sparked debate about women on social media in Pakistan.

Watch LiveBritish Broadcasting CorporationHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveHomeNewsIsrael-Gaza WarWar in UkraineUS & CanadaUKUK PoliticsEnglandN. IrelandN. Ireland PoliticsScotlandScotland PoliticsWalesWales PoliticsAfricaAsiaChinaIndiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastIn PicturesBBC InDepthBBC VerifySportBusinessExecutive LoungeTechnology of BusinessFuture of BusinessInnovationTechnologyScience & HealthArtificial IntelligenceAI v the MindCultureFilm & TVMusicArt & DesignStyleBooksEntertainment NewsArtsArts in MotionTravelDestinationsAfricaAntarcticaAsiaAustralia and PacificCaribbean & BermudaCentral AmericaEuropeMiddle EastNorth AmericaSouth AmericaWorld’s TableCulture & ExperiencesAdventuresThe SpeciaListTo the Ends of The Earth EarthNatural WondersWeather & ScienceClimate SolutionsSustainable BusinessGreen LivingAudioPodcast CategoriesRadioAudio FAQsVideoLiveLive NewsLive SportHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveWeatherNewslettersWatch LiveMan charged with murder of Pakistan TikTok star22 hours agoShareSaveGeorge WrightShareSaveSanayousaf22Sana Yousaf was a well-known social media influencer in PakistanA man has been charged in Pakistan over the killing of 17-year-old TikTok star Sana Yousaf who had repeatedly rejected his advances.

Ms Yousaf's murder in June drew widespread condemnation but also some comments appearing to blame her, igniting a fierce debate about women on social media.

Umar Hayat, 22, was arrested and confessed to the murder soon after her death, but pleaded not guilty in Islamabad's district court on Saturday.

"All the allegations made against me are baseless and false," the accused told the judge.

Authorities said at the time of his arrest that they believed Mr Hayat murdered Ms Yousaf at her home in Islamabad after she rejected what they called his "offers of friendship". He allegedly also repeatedly tried, and failed, to meet her.