Girl from al-Qatif pardoned
In 2006, a young woman known only as "The Girl from al-Qatif" and her male companion were kidnapped at knifepoint by a gang of seven men shortly after they met. The male companion was attacked and then released. The woman, however, was raped by each member of the gang.
While the gang was eventually apprehended and sentenced for their crimes, a court in eastern Saudi Arabia saw the need to convict the woman and her companion of the crime known as Khilwa - being alone in private with a member of the opposite sex who was not an immediate family member. A year later on November 15, 2007, another court increased the sentences of all who were involved, including the rape victim. She and her companion had their sentences increased to six months imprisonment and flogging which was increased from 90 to 200 lashes.
The sentencing of the woman following her rape ordeal generated shock and anger among the public in Saudi Arabia and human rights activists abroad. It also generated a rare debate in the country on the inconsistencies of the judicial system and its failure to reflect the gravity of crimes committed against the woman. AI issued an Urgent Action in November and several updates to which many of our members responded with an outpouring of concern.
We are happy to report that the sentences of flogging and imprisonment imposed on a 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.
