Aftab Zulfiqar is in prison after being found guilty of two counts of rape and coercive and controlling behaviour against a woman he was in a relationship with for three years. He was sentenced at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court on 15 April 2026 to 13 years in prison. The case was brought to light by the extraordinary courage of his survivor, who reported him to Greater Manchester Police in October 2023.

Who Is Aftab Zulfiqar?

Aftab Zulfiqar is a 41-year-old man from the Greater Manchester area. Prior to his conviction, he had been in a three-year relationship with a woman who was subjected to sustained and escalating abuse throughout that time. The case was investigated by Greater Manchester Police, and Zulfiqar was prosecuted under both rape legislation and the coercive and controlling behaviour provisions introduced by the Serious Crime Act 2015. He was remanded in custody from September 2024 after attempting to interfere with the case through social media.

What Did Aftab Zulfiqar Do?

Over the course of a three-year relationship, Aftab Zulfiqar repeatedly raped the woman and subjected her to a sustained campaign of coercive and controlling behaviour. He was found guilty of two counts of rape and one count of coercive and controlling behaviour. The abuse was not a single incident but a pattern of conduct that left the survivor isolated, fearful, and without the support networks that are essential to escaping such a situation. The jury at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court heard evidence of the sustained nature of the abuse before returning guilty verdicts on all counts.

The Pattern of Coercive Control

Coercive and controlling behaviour is a criminal offence in England and Wales, and the details of Zulfiqar’s conduct illustrated why this law was introduced. He controlled every aspect of the survivor’s daily life — including what she wore, when she slept, what she ate and drank, and who she was permitted to speak to. He systematically isolated her from her friends and from wider support networks. This kind of behaviour is designed to make a victim entirely dependent on the abuser and to prevent escape or disclosure. The sustained psychological impact of such control is recognised by courts as serious harm, and it formed a significant part of the prosecution case against Zulfiqar. For anyone in a similar situation, the support pages on organisations such as Women’s Aid and Refuge can provide urgent assistance.

Arrest, Trial and Conviction

The survivor reported Zulfiqar to Greater Manchester Police in October 2023, requiring significant personal courage given the level of control he had exerted over her life. Following his arrest, rather than remain silent, Zulfiqar continued to post about the investigation on social media — behaviour that showed a disregard for the court process and caused additional distress to the survivor. As a result, he was remanded into custody in September 2024, where he remained until sentencing. His trial concluded with guilty verdicts on all charges.

If you have someone on remand who you wish to visit, our guide on how to book a prison visit explains the process for remand prisoners and those awaiting sentencing.

Sentence and Outcome

On 15 April 2026, Aftab Zulfiqar was sentenced to 13 years in prison at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court. He was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register, meaning his details will be held by police and he will be subject to notification requirements upon release. The Greater Manchester Police statement praised the courage of the survivor in coming forward, noting that her bravery in reporting the abuse was what made the prosecution possible. The sentence means he must serve a substantial portion of the term before being eligible for release consideration. The Parole Board will assess whether he remains a risk to the public before any release is approved. For information on how the parole process works, see our guide to the Parole Board UK.

Anyone with a family member in prison can find guidance on staying in touch and providing financial support at our send money to a prisoner page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Aftab Zulfiqar in prison?

Aftab Zulfiqar is in prison after being found guilty of two counts of rape and one count of coercive and controlling behaviour. He was sentenced to 13 years in prison at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court on 15 April 2026.

How long is Aftab Zulfiqar’s sentence?

Aftab Zulfiqar received a 13-year prison sentence. He will need to serve a substantial portion of this before being eligible to be considered for release by the Parole Board.

What was Aftab Zulfiqar convicted of?

He was convicted of two counts of rape and one count of coercive and controlling behaviour. The coercive control offence relates to his systematic and sustained abuse of his partner over a three-year period, including controlling what she wore, ate, and who she could speak to.

Was Aftab Zulfiqar held on remand?

Yes. After his arrest, Zulfiqar posted about the investigation on social media, causing further distress to the survivor. As a result, he was remanded into custody in September 2024, where he remained until he was sentenced in April 2026.

Is Aftab Zulfiqar on the Sex Offenders Register?

Yes. As part of his sentence, Aftab Zulfiqar was placed on the Sex Offenders Register. This means he is subject to notification requirements and his details are held by police. This applies for a period determined by the length of his sentence.