The Saudi woman accused of torturing Sumiati Salan Mustapa was taken into police custody pending investigations, press reports said on Tuesday. The unidentified 53-year-old is believed to have caused serious injuries to Mustapa, who is being treated at King Fahd Hospital in Madinah for burns and broken bones.

The 23-year-old housemaid has received skin grafts in the hospital's intensive care unit after allegedly being burned with a hot iron by her employer. Mustapa is also being treated for fractures in her hands and ribs. She was also slashed in the face and lips with scissors, according to a hospital report.

Sultan bin Zahim, the lawyer appointed by the HRC to represent Mustapa in court, believes the media has blown the case out of proportion.

“It is an appalling crime, but from a social point of view, it is an exceptional case and not typical of Saudi society,” he said. “Saudi and Indonesian relations are strong socially and politically.”

He claimed that the large numbers of house helps in the Kingdom indicates the close and stable ties between Saudi Arabia and Indonesia and the kind way they are generally received and treated in Saudi homes.

According to Indonesian diplomats, more than 700,000 maids live in Saudi homes.

Zahim pointed out that criminal prosecution bodies in the Kingdom are strict and firm when it comes to crimes against people of other nationalities, while the law does not distinguish between nationals and expatriates.

Zahim, reviewing the assault on Mustapa from a legal point of view, said it was a criminal act based on three criteria — physical intent, emotional intent, and actual damage.

“No crime can be described as such if one of the criteria is not fulfilled,” he added.

Many citizens are exposed to crimes and assaults outside their countries, Zahim indicated, and the legal system of the country they are in acts accordingly.

“Should the investigation against the employer proves her guilt, she will be referred to the court to go on trial and be sentenced to deter her and others who think of committing such crimes,” he added.

Police in the city of Abha found the body of Indonesian housemaid Kikim Komalasari, 36, who came to the Kingdom in 2009. Her neck had been slashed and she had severe cuts all over her body. Komalasari’s employer was detained in connection with the killing.

HRC President Bandar Al-Iban confirmed his organization is following up the case, appointing Hadi Al-Yamy, an HRC member, to liaise with officials.

Al-Iban commended the media and society’s compassion with regard to what he termed as “isolated” cases involving abuse and inhumane actions in Saudi society.

He confirmed all official bodies will stand against such cases, adding that the Shariah system will run its course in punishing offenders.

Saudi and Indonesian officials met in Madinah on Tuesday to discuss the two cases that shocked the nation. There are over 1 million Indonesians working in the Kingdom.