A rape victim is facing 20 years in jail in El Salvador for allegedly trying to terminate her abuser's child - despite giving birth to the baby.
Imelda Cortez, 20, who underwent years of abuse at the hands of her step-father, has been in custody since April of last year after giving birth to her 70-year-old abuser's baby in a toilet.
Ms Cortez, from San Miguel, was rushed to a nearby hospital after her mother found her bleeding heavily and in severe pain. Hospital staff suspected an abortion and called police who found the baby girl healthy and alive.
Cortez, from San Miguel, was charged with attempted murder and was sent to prison after only a week in hospital.
According to the Guardian, while the teenage mother was in hospital she was also visited by stepfather who threatened to kill her if she spoke out about her abuse.
Ms Cortez who was abused by her abusive stepfather from the age of 12, was unaware she was pregnant.
She was accused of lying about the abuse at the hands of her step-father however a paternity test later confirmed he was the father.
Defence lawyer Bertha Maria Deleon, told the Guardian: 'This is the most extreme, scandalous injustice against a woman I've ever seen.
'The state has repeatedly violated Imelda's rights as a victim; she's deeply affected but denied psychological attention.'
The case highlights the continuing persecution and lack of freedom faced by women in a country were abortion is illegal in all circumstances.
In 2011, Maria Teresa Rivera was sentenced to 40 years in prison in El Salvador on 'aggravated homicide' charges following a miscarriage.
She was exonerated four and half years later after a court in El Salvador decided to annul the sentence.
The criminal trial for Ms Cortez's case begins today and a ruling is set to occur with the next week.
This article has been adapted from its original source.
