[JURIST] The Lahore High Court [official website] in Pakistan released 12 men Friday with ties to a highly publicized gang-rape, including six men who were convicted of rape and 6 members of the village council. The case centers around Mukhtar Mai [advocacy website; BBC profile] who was gang-raped in 2002, allegedly on the orders of a traditional village council after her younger brother offended the honor of a large clan by befriending a female member. Originally, six men were convicted of the crime but five were acquitted on appeal and the sixth had his sentenced reduced to life in prison. Though the provincial government intervened to have the men detained for three months pending an appeal by Mai, the Lahore High Court found no justification for their continued imprisonment. This case has raised international concerns over the treatment of women, as gang rapes and honor killings are common in rural areas of Pakistan. Reuters has more.