Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07RIYADH1481
2007-07-11 15:48:00
SECRET
Embassy Riyadh
Cable title:
NO LASHES FOR QATEEF RAPE VICTIM; CASE DROPPED
how-toVZCZCXYZ0801 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHRH #1481 1921548 ZNY SSSSS ZZH P 111548Z JUL 07 FM AMEMBASSY RIYADH TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5989 INFO RUEHJI/AMCONSUL JEDDAH PRIORITY 8864 RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
S E C R E T RIYADH 001481
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT PLEASE PASS TO NIK RAMCHAND AT NSC AND NEA/ARP FOR
RJACHIM/SRAMESH
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/11/2027
TAGS: PHUM PGOV KWMN SOCI KIRF SA
SUBJECT: NO LASHES FOR QATEEF RAPE VICTIM; CASE DROPPED
REF: RIYAHD 00483
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Michael Gfoeller for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).
S E C R E T RIYADH 001481
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT PLEASE PASS TO NIK RAMCHAND AT NSC AND NEA/ARP FOR
RJACHIM/SRAMESH
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/11/2027
TAGS: PHUM PGOV KWMN SOCI KIRF SA
SUBJECT: NO LASHES FOR QATEEF RAPE VICTIM; CASE DROPPED
REF: RIYAHD 00483
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Michael Gfoeller for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).
1. (S) Post reported in reftel the case of Qateef resident
Aqilah bint Eisa al-Dhamin, who, along with her ex-boyfriend,
was raped by seven men in January 2006. Following the
investigation and trial, the perpetrators were sentenced to
between eight months and five years in prison and between
80-1,000 lashes. The same court also sentenced al-Dhamin and
her ex-boyfriend to 90 lashes for being unmarried and alone
in a car at the time of the incident.
2. (S) Local and international press and human rights
organization expressed outrage at al-Dhamin's sentence, and
al-Dhamin publicly appealed to King Abdullah that she be
spared the lashes. Additionally, al-Dhamin's lawyer, human
rights activist Abdel Rahman al-Laham requested the Minister
of Justice's intervention in the case.
3. (C) Hussein al-Awami, a journalist with Al-Hayat
newspaper, told PolOff on July 9 that EP Governor Prince
Mohammed bin Fahd dropped the charges against al-Dhamin.
According to al-Awami, who has been following this case
closely and is from the same village as al-Dhamin, the case
is now closed and she will not be lashed.
FRAKER
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT PLEASE PASS TO NIK RAMCHAND AT NSC AND NEA/ARP FOR
RJACHIM/SRAMESH
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/11/2027
TAGS: PHUM PGOV KWMN SOCI KIRF SA
SUBJECT: NO LASHES FOR QATEEF RAPE VICTIM; CASE DROPPED
REF: RIYAHD 00483
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Michael Gfoeller for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).
1. (S) Post reported in reftel the case of Qateef resident
Aqilah bint Eisa al-Dhamin, who, along with her ex-boyfriend,
was raped by seven men in January 2006. Following the
investigation and trial, the perpetrators were sentenced to
between eight months and five years in prison and between
80-1,000 lashes. The same court also sentenced al-Dhamin and
her ex-boyfriend to 90 lashes for being unmarried and alone
in a car at the time of the incident.
2. (S) Local and international press and human rights
organization expressed outrage at al-Dhamin's sentence, and
al-Dhamin publicly appealed to King Abdullah that she be
spared the lashes. Additionally, al-Dhamin's lawyer, human
rights activist Abdel Rahman al-Laham requested the Minister
of Justice's intervention in the case.
3. (C) Hussein al-Awami, a journalist with Al-Hayat
newspaper, told PolOff on July 9 that EP Governor Prince
Mohammed bin Fahd dropped the charges against al-Dhamin.
According to al-Awami, who has been following this case
closely and is from the same village as al-Dhamin, the case
is now closed and she will not be lashed.
FRAKER