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Sudan Woman Tried for Pants Gets Fined, Not Flogged
Lubna Hussein plans appeal to country's constitutional court
By Harry Kimball
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Posted Sep 7, 09 9:51 AM CDT
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(Newser)
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The Sudanese woman arrested in July for wearing pants has been fined around $200 but will not receive the 40 lashes once threatened, CNN reports. Lubna Hussein, an erstwhile UN worker who resigned in order to waive immunity and challenge her prosecution, says she will not pay the fine and will instead spend a month in prison. Her lawyer says she plans to appeal the case to the country’s constitutional court.
Hussein hopes to have the law governing indecency overturned as unconstitutional. She was tried for wearing pants that were said to be too tight and a too-sheer blouse along with her hijab. She pleaded not guilty, but was not allowed defend herself in court. Outside the courtroom today, protesters were met by police and tear gas. “The manner in which this law has been used against women is unacceptable, and the penalty called for by the law—up to 40 lashes—abhorrent,” an Amnesty International official says.