When Ibraheem first came from his southeast Asian country to the Kingdom, he was only dreaming of a job that would secure him for life. However, he did not know that he would pay a huge price for falling in love as well.

Ibraheem worked as a driver for a private hospital in one of the Kingdom's provinces.

Having listened to the marital problems of Monira (not her real name), a Saudi employee at the same hospital, he felt sympathy for her. It was a feeling that turned into love after her divorce.

“I admit I was so much in love with her, and whatever she demanded I fulfilled blindly,” said Ibraheem. He said Monira requested SR40,000 to marry him, while her father asked for a similar amount in return for his permission.

Ibraheem claims he sold a house and land he had at home to pay their wedding and living expenses, including renting a house for SR30,000 and buying a car for SR100,000, which were all in Monira's name. “I had so much trust in her, as she was my love, my wife and later the mother of my three children,” said Ibraheem, who transferred his sponsorship to Monira.

Five years into the marriage, problems started between the couple. “She started causing all kind of problems and asked repeatedly for a divorce,” claimed Ibraheem, adding that he then asked her to reimburse him for various expenses, which included a car workshop that he paid for and equipped in her name.

After Monira could not find a way out of this marriage, Ibraheem claimed, she accused him of having an affair with a housemaid.

It was an accusation that did not hold, Ibraheem said, because there was no proof or witnesses.

“The judge still convicted me for khulwa (illegal seclusion with a member of the opposite sex), although the maid was not,” said Ibraheem, adding that he was sentenced to six months' imprisonment and 150 lashes.

Ibraheem had to accept the sentence as he was unable to afford the legal fees or translation costs of well over SR30,000 just for the alimony hearing.

“The judge brought me handcuffed to the court and demanded that I divorce her, promising me that she would drop the adultery charge and the alimony case. He said I would get visitation rights every Thursday and custody of my children when they reached a suitable age,” said Ibraheem.

However, he said he was only released after two years and accused the judge of conspiring with his ex-wife's family.

It has been now eight months since Ibraheem was finally released from prison. His ex-wife has sold his workshop and she is still demanding alimony from him, which he cannot afford with his new job. In addition, he has still not seen his children.

“The governor’s office in the province I live in granted me the visitation rights, but my ex-wife refuses to abide by the order and the police are not helping. It has been two years and eight months since I last saw them,” said Ibraheem, sobbing.

“I feel that because I am a foreigner, my rights are being violated, as no translator was provided in all the court hearings I have attended. Even my embassy did not bother to help.”