Afghan President Hamid Karzai received a petition Sunday with nearly 5,000 names endorsing a plea for the immediate release of a rape victim who has been jailed because of her attack and is being forced to marry her rapist . Kim Motley , a lawyer for 21-year-old Gulnaz , said the palace received the petition , which gathered 4,751 names in just over 48 hours , on Sunday afternoon . The petition comes with an official plea for clemency addressed to the president , who has the power to immediately pardon Gulnaz , currently in jail for adultery because her attacker was married at the time of the attack . Gulnaz was sentenced to 12 years after the attack as her rapist was married though that term was recently reduced to three years . Gulnaz 's plight gained international attention when the European Union blocked the broadcast of a documentary made about her ordeal saying that it would further jeopardize her safety . Gulnaz was raped two years ago by her cousin 's husband but did not immediately report the attack , fearing reprisals from elements of Afghanistan 's conservative society . Yet she conceived a child from the rape , and went to police after showing signs of pregnancy . She is now raising the daughter in jail and has agreed to marry her attacker in order to be released and legitimize her daughter . She also fears attack from her rapist 's relatives , something he denies is a risk . A spokesman for the attorney general , Rahmatullah Naziri , told CNN last week that her sentence had been reduced to three years , leaving about a year to serve . He explained that while the original sentence for adultery was reduced , she had failed to report her rape quickly enough and would have to serve further time in jail for that offense . The U.S. State Department , while not explicitly calling for Gulnaz 's release , said in a statement Thursday : `` Gulnaz 's situation is one no woman should have to face . Our heartfelt condolences go out to Gulnaz and her young daughter . We expect Afghan prosecutors to properly apply the law while also upholding Gulnaz 's rights . ''
The petition is sent to Afghan President Hamid Karzai . Hide Caption The victim has been jailed because of the attack and is being forced to marry her rapist .