Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Saudi princess granted asylum in Britain over fears of stoning

A Saudi princess who gave birth to an illegitimate child from an affair with her British boyfriend has been granted asylum in Britain. The princess fears she will face execution by stoning or be murdered in an 'honor killing'.

From Telegraph

British and Saudi authorities have declined to comment on the woman's case but it is understood that she told an Asylum Tribunal that she would face the death penalty under Sharia law.

The woman, who has been granted refugee status and anonymity, is married to an elderly member of the Royal Family of Saudi Arabia and met her non-Muslim English boyfriend during a visit to London.

She became pregnant the following year and persuaded her husband to let her return to the UK so she could give birth in secret.

She has now become one of a handful of Saudi citizens to apply to the UK courts for asylum. Such cases are not generally acknowledged by the British government for fear that highlighting the persecution of women in the strict Muslim nation would strain relations with the House of Saud.

The woman told the Immigration and Asylum Tribunal that she could be liable to death by stoning under Sharia law if she returned, or face an honour killing.

No comments: