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Saudi Rulers: Rape Victim Caused Crime

Had 'illegal affair,' failed to tell fiancé about attacks

By Jane Yager, Newser Staff

Posted Nov 25, 2007 7:23 AM CST

(Newser) – Under international fire for sentencing a gang-rape victim to 200 lashes, the Saudi government yesterday said the woman violated Islamic law and caused the crime to take place by having an "illegitimate relationship" with a man not her husband. The rapists allegedly found the woman "in a compromising situation" with a man on a beach, CNN reports.

Her attorney has said she met a male friend to retrieve a photograph. Though the woman was unmarried at the time, the court described her actions as adultery. Nobody pressed charges in the case until the woman's husband found out about the rapes—and what the Saudi government terms "his wife's affair and adultery"—three months later, when the seven rapists began bragging in the local community.

An unidentified woman holds her veil lightly over her face after loosening it to eat ice cream, while walking past an unidentified Saudi man in a Mecca, Saudi Arabia, street Feb. 7, 2007. The Saudi government... (Associated Press)

Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah, left, talks with an unidentified official during the closing ceremony of the OPEC summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Sunday Nov. 18, 2007. The Saudi government said yesterday... (Associated Press)

Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah looks on as he awaits at Riyadh airport for his fellow heads of state to arrive for the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries Summit, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Saturday,... (Associated Press)

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Saudi Rulers: Rape Victim Caused Crime

Had 'illegal affair,' failed to tell fiancé about attacks

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But let's not rush into things: Wait til 2015, says King Abdullah

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14-Year-Old Beaten to Death for Adultery Was Raped

Doctor listed Hena Akhter’s death as a 'suicide'

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Crowd of about 100 killed adulterers

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Saudi Rulers: Rape Victim Caused Crime

Had 'illegal affair,' failed to tell fiancé about attacks

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Saudi Arabia • rape • Islamic Sharia law • adultery • Saudi rape victim

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Saudi Women Get Right to Vote

But let's not rush into things: Wait til 2015, says King Abdullah

Saudi Prince Faces Revived Rape Case

Spanish court reopens alleged attack on 20-year-old model

14-Year-Old Beaten to Death for Adultery Was Raped

Doctor listed Hena Akhter’s death as a 'suicide'

Islamic Schools Teach UK Kids to Chop Thieves' Hands

Texts back stoning, say Jews made into pigs

Taliban Publicly Stones Couple Over Affair

Crowd of about 100 killed adulterers

About Us

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Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?