HAIL, 2 August 2006 — The man charged with the July 24 attempted kidnapping and assault of an education official here is facing other troubles on the home front, the daily Al-Watan reported yesterday.
The wife of the accused said she was in the process of divorcing the suspect even before his run-in with the law.
The woman, who is a well-known local artist in Hail, said her divorce session was scheduled for Sept. 12 at a hearing that took place on July 1, weeks before the suspect allegedly abducted Othman Al-Amer by gunpoint before shooting him in the thigh as he tried to escape during a police chase.
The woman is divorcing her husband on the basis of breach of trust and failing to provide material support to her and their son. She also says he slandered her on the Internet shortly before surrendering to the police on Sunday after escaping from police during the crime.
The wife is also accusing her husband of failing to pay back SR381,000 he borrowed from her and her father.
The father, 70, said his daughter and her husband began to quarrel shortly after their marriage eight years ago. The numerous attempts to reconcile them had only temporary success. “I appointed a lawyer to demand legally that my son-in-law return SR84,000 that he borrowed from me three years ago and SR75,000 shortly after that. My daughter has also engaged the same lawyer to get back SR222,000,” he said.
The father said he is confident that even without his troubles with the law over the kidnapping and assault charges, the divorce would be granted because the accused did not abide by the terms of the martial contract, as dictated by Shariah.
