JEDDAH, 7 June 2006 — The father of the alleged 20-year-old Pakistani rape victim Zarni has disappeared after the story of his daughter’s sexual assault hit the press.
A search is under way for Zarni’s father, who repairs air-conditioners at a shop near King Abdullah Mosque. Police raided the victim’s house in Jeddah’s Anakesh district Monday night in search of the father, whom Zarni has accused of being the attacker.
Zarni has been provided protection at a shelter in Jeddah, becoming the first non-Saudi woman to be assisted in such a way.
According to the Pakistani Consulate, Zarni’s mother went to them yesterday and is contradicting her daughter’s claims.
“Zarni became pregnant after she was involved in a relationship with a young Pakistani, according to the mother,” said consulate spokesman Mohammed Jameel.
Jameel added that Zarni’s mother claims that the young man was turned away by the father when he asked for his daughter’s hand in marriage.
The spokesman said Zarni’s mother believes her daughter fabricated allegations of rape in retaliation. The mother’s claims contradict Zarni’s previous statement that her father sexually abused her over a number of years.
