Saudi Arabia: Further Information on UA 69/07 - Fear of Flogging/ Prisoners of conscience/ Torture and other ill-treatment

Index Number: MDE 23/003/2008
Date Published: 11 January 2008
Categories: Saudi Arabia

The sentences of flogging and imprisonment imposed on a 20-year-old woman rape victim, known only as the "Girl from al-Qatif", and her male companion are reported to have been dropped under a pardon granted by Saudi Arabia’s Head of State, King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. They were convicted in 2006 for a Khilwa offence under Shariah law.