Defense attorneys for a Pakistani immigrant accused of killing his daughter allegedly because she disgraced the family by seeking a divorce from her arranged marriage are reluctant to call the death an "honor killing."

Attorneys Alan Begner and Tammi Long were in court Tuesday morning for a probable cause hearing for Chaudhry Rashid. Rashid, 56, is charged with murder in the July 6 strangulation of his only daughter, Sandeela Kanwal, 25.

BEN GRAY /bgray@ajc.com (ENLARGE)

Chaudhry Rashid (right) looks past attorney Tammi Long during a preliminary hearing in Clayton County. Rashid is accused of killing his daughter. Category:

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Clayton County Deputy Magistrate Bobby Simmons on Tuesday ordered the case bound over for grand jury presentment after hearing testimony from Clayton police Detective Mike Christian.

Christian testified that Rashid confessed, through an interpreter, to killing Kanwal during questioning at the police department the night her body was found on the floor of her bedroom. Rashid had told police he is Muslim and that extramarital affairs and divorce are against his religion. That's why he killed her, according to a Clayton County arrest warrant.

"He said, 'God will protect me, God is watching me, I strangled my daughter, I killed her,'" Christian testified Tuesday.

Previous courtroom statements indicate Rashid to be a devout Muslim. Long got permission last month for Rashid to continue a special diet in the jail for Muslims.

But outside the courtroom, Begner and Long downplayed the religious aspect of the alleged crime.

"It's unfortunate that 'honor killing' has come out as a catch phrase for this crime," Long said. "It does a disservice to this man, his family and culture. It is being used loosely without the full aspect of what's going on in this case."

No timetable was given for when the case would move forward. A bond hearing for Rashid is scheduled Friday.