Kabul ( CNN ) -- The ordeal of Gulnaz did not simply begin and end with the physical attack of her rape . The rape began a years-long nightmare of further pain , culminating in an awful choice she must now make . Even two years later , Gulnaz remembers the smell and state of her rapist 's clothes when he came into the house when her mother left for a brief visit to the hospital . `` He had filthy clothes on as he does metal and construction work . When my mother went out , he came into my house and he closed doors and windows . I started screaming , but he shut me up by putting his hands on my mouth , '' she said . The rapist was her cousin 's husband . After the attack , she hid what happened as long as she could . But soon she began vomiting in the mornings and showing signs of pregnancy . It was her attacker 's child . In Afghanistan , this brought her not sympathy , but prosecution . Aged just 19 , she was found guilty by the courts of sex outside of marriage -- adultery -- and sentenced to twelve years in jail . Now inside Kabul 's Badam Bagh jail , she and her child are serving her sentence together . Sitting with the baby in her lap , her face carefully covered , she explains the only choice she has that would end her incarceration . The only way around the dishonor of rape , or adultery in the eyes of Afghans , is to marry her attacker . This will , in the eyes of some , give her child a family and restore her honor . Incredibly , this is something that Gulnaz is willing to do . `` I was asked if I wanted to start a new life by getting released , by marrying this man '' , she told CNN in an exclusive interview . `` My answer was that one man dishonored me , and I want to stay with that man . '' Tending to her daughter in the jail 's cold , she added : `` My daughter is a little innocent child . Who knew I would have a child in this way . A lot of people told me that after your daughter 's born give it to someone else , but my aunt told me to keep her as proof of my innocence . '' Gulnaz 's choice is stark . Women in her situation are often killed for the shame their ordeal has brought the community . She is at risk , some say , from her attacker 's family . We found Gulnaz 's convicted rapist in a jail across town . While he denied raping her , he agreed that she would likely be killed if she gets out of jail . But he insists that it will be her family , not his , that will kill her , `` out of shame . '' Whether threatened by his family or hers , for now , jail may be the safest place for her . Shockingly , Gulnaz 's case is common in Afghanistan . CNN asked a spokesman for the prosecutor to comment on the case . The reply was that there were hundreds such cases and the office would need time to look into it . But Gulnaz 's plight has found international attention because of a dispute between the European Union and a team of documentary makers hired to report on women 's rights in Afghanistan . The documentary makers filmed a lengthy report on Gulnaz and other women , showing her talking openly about her fate . They showed the film to the EU , who were paying for it as part of a project on female rights here . After viewing it , the EU decided to spike the project . The EU said it was concerned about the safety of the women in the film : they could be identified and might face reprisals . The filmmakers however suspect -- citing an email leaked from the EU delegation -- that the EU might also be motivated by its sensitive relationship with Afghan justice institutions , since he film shows the Afghan justice system in a very unflattering light . The leaked email says : `` The delegation also has to consider its relations with [ Afghan ] Justice institutions in connection with the other work that it is doing in the sector . '' The EU Ambassador to Afghanistan , Vygaudas Usackas , rejected any political motivation in asking for the film not to be shown . `` What I am concerned about is that situation of the women . About the security and well being , that 's of paramount importance , the key criteria according to which I , as representative of the European Union will judge , '' said the ambassdor . Under Afghan law , Gulnaz has been judged an adulterer . Despite the ongoing dispute over her story , her predicament has not changed . She faces the hideous choice of 12 years in jail or marriage to her rapist and risk death . It 's a marriage she says she 'll accept , so her child can continue to have a mother .
Afghan rape victim Gulnaz found guilty by courts of adultery and jailed for 12 years . The only way victim can escape incarceration is to marry her attacker . Gulnaz refuses to give away the daughter who resulted from the rape . Women in her situation can be killed for the perceived shame their ordeal has brought their community .