Saudi king pardons rape victim sentenced to 200 lashes

[Doctor Cynic]

Source: Associated Press and Reuters

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah has pardoned a female rape victim who had been sentenced to six months in prison and 200 lashes.

Saudi Justice Minister Abdullah bin Muhammed al-Sheik told al-Jazirah newspaper that the pardon does not mean the king doubted the country's judges, but instead acted in the “interests of the people.”

Read more: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20071217.wsaudipardon1217/BNStory/International/home/

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Does this mean that the king thinks the judges aren't acting in the interests of the Saudi people?

[Hekate]

1. No, I think it just means the king is behaving like a king in a despotic kingdom...

Periodically a king has the right to overturn legislation if he sees fit, particularly if there's some public outcry. In this case he demonstrates mercy. Think medieval Europe.

The poor woman's life has been spared, but she is still ruined and has no future in that godforsaken place. I wonder if her own family will want to take her back; I'm fairly certain her husband won't.

Bush's friends, allies of the US.

Hekate

[Ian David]

3. Pardoning The Turkey. n/t

[izzie]

4. One wonders why men find women so scary.

I guess it is because men are stronger so can knock them around and the old thing that women can make them feel some thing so they feel that women then have power over them. Being a women I never could figure this out and in my old age have come down to those two things. I would do badly in another society.

[BlueManDude]

11. I read a book called The Looming Tower

About Bin Laden and Al Queda and it's striking how threatened these "tough guy" terrorists are by women. They really are just a bunch of losers.

[rpannier]

6. Actually...her husband has been her most vocal supporter

I was watching his interview with ABC (Asian-Pacific Broadcasting - I live in Asia) and initially he was very critical of the judge and toned his criticisms down when his attorney pointed out the judicial system would take it out on his wife.

He wants her back as his wife...He's made that perfectly clear.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

10. A good person in a sea of religious zealotry. The both of them should leave. -nt

[Hekate]

15. That's got to be the one bright spot in this nightmare. I hope they get out together...

...and godspeed.

Hekate

[LeftishBrit]

16. Good for him. That really is good news and a glimmer of hope.

[LeftishBrit]

17. I am glad to hear that - though sad that it was ever even necessary

[Ian David]

2. This is because the woman's own family will eventually kill her anyway now. n/t

[JCMach1]

5. Eid al Adha is traditionally a time for pardons...

he doesn't lose any face over this...

So, a pretty good way out of a PR mess.

[fed-up]

7. pardoning is nice, now how about abolishing those laws else we impose sanctions nt

[Warren Stupidity]

8. How big of Mr. King.

When are we invading Saudi Arabia for its many connections to al qaeda?

[sasquatch]

9. Um....let me see here...AW HERE IT IS...um....NEVER!

Friends with the Bush Crime Family always get a free pass.

[Warpy]

12. International pressure has an effect, it seems

plus I'm sure he was under a certain amount of pressure at home. The Saudis aren't a heartless people, although they are certainly not much like us.

The reason she was sentenced so heavily is that she was found to have been having an affair with one of the men. The gang rape occurred because he set it up when she tried to end the affair after she married. The first punishment, 50 lashes, was for being in his car. The second, the 200 lashes, was for the affair.

Her life is probably over, in any case. I would imagine she has been divorced by a husband who doesn't want to be known for being married to damaged goods and I doubt her parents have taken her in.

It's a terrible country for any woman who steps the least bit out of line.

[ima_sinnic]

13. wrong about the husband

see post somewhere up above that says he is very supportive of her and wants her back.

[Warpy]

14. Good, at least she has that

It sounds like she got one of the good guys, recognized it, and was trying to dump the bad one when he had his buddies attack her.