Saudi King Abdullah has pardoned the rape victim who was previously sentenced to 200 lashes and a six month prison term for being alone in a car with an unrelated man when she was abducted and raped by seven men. The case sparked international outrage over the harsh sentence, which was increased to the 200 lashes with prison time after the woman appealed the initial sentence of 90 lashes.
Saudi Justice Minister Abdullah bin Muhammad al-Sheikh stipulated that the pardon does not mean that the King opposed the sentence, but acted in the interests of his people, the Associated Press reports.
The Justice Ministry recently defended its initial decision, claiming the ruling was legal because the woman had allegedly confessed to having an affair with the man, who was also raped at the time of the attack according to the BBC.
Media Resources: BBC 12/17/07; Associated Press 12/17/07; Feminist Daily Newswire 11/19/07
5/17/2013 Another Military Sexual Assault Prevention Officer Arrested - On Wednesday night the manager of the Sexual Harassment and Assault Response and Prevention program for Fort Campbell, Kentucky, was arrested for stalking.
Army Lieutenant Colonel Darin Haas was arrested around 6:30 pm Wednesday night when his ex-wife called the authorities after receiving threatening text messages that violated her order of protection against Haas. . . .
