RIYADH, 18 September 2005 — The continuing story of the Asiri girl sentenced to death for killing the man who attempted to rape her took a new twist recently when Crown Prince Sultan, minister of defense and aviation, personally intervened, Arab News has learned. Waleed Abumilha, webmaster of the site (www.freethegirl.com) that was set up to gain public support for the girl, confirmed that the crown prince had personally paid a visit to the dead man’s family in order to ask them to forgive the girl. Abumilha dismissed recent media reports that the date for the girl’s execution was near. He said: “Based on what I know, what has been reported in the media is untrue. However, the crown prince’s visit to the dead man’s family is a fact and it is dominating the local scene.”
Some observers believe the girl may be released under a wide-ranging royal amnesty often given in Ramadan by the king.
Abumilha said: “Over 600,000 people have visited the website since its creation.” The number of registered members who receive daily news updates of the girl’s conditions and the latest developments has risen to 4,617 members, both male and female. Many members on the site have urged official intervention in the case and have also asked the dead man’s family to show mercy. In addition to visitors from within the Kingdom, visitors from 100 countries have also logged onto the website to announce their support for the girl.
The town of Khamis Mushayt, where the girl is from, has gained considerable notoriety as a result of the case. The 26-year-old mother of three, one of whom was born in prison, has been behind bars since she was convicted of murder six years ago. While in prison, she has turned to religion and memorized the Qur’an.
The story began six years ago when the woman — 20 years old and married at the time — became involved with a Saudi man. They saw each other several times and finally the man demanded sex, threatening to kill her if she refused. She refused. He then attempted to rape her and she killed him.
She confessed to the police and told the story to the religious court, making very clear the motives behind the killing. The religious court, however, ruled that under Shariah law, she should be executed, regardless of the motives or circumstances.
