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Rizana's death sentence confirmed

25 October 2010 03:43 am - 73     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Supreme Court in Riyadh has endorsed the death sentence given to a Sri Lankan maid who murdered a Saudi infant in 2005, sources from Sri Lanka’s External Affairs Ministry told Arab News.

A three-member panel of judges from the Dawadami High Court headed by Chief Justice Abdullah Al-Rosaimi found Rizana Nafeek guilty of murdering the four-month-old son of Naif Jiziyan Khalaf Al-Otaibi and sentenced her to death on June 16, 2007.

The court heard that Nafeek killed the child after she was asked to bottle-feed him by the sponsor's wife.

The court informed Nafeek that she could file an appeal against her death sentence, which she did.
When the maid's case was referred to the Supreme Court via the Court of Cassation, the Hong Kong-based Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) assigned Saudi law firm Khateb Al-Shammary on a reported SR150,000 contract to defend her.

The Supreme Court referred the case again to the Dawadami court for further clarification on the appeal made by Al-Shammary before issuing its verdict.

Nafeek arrived in Riyadh on May 4, 2005 to work as a housemaid for Al-Otaibi. According to Nafeek’s passport, her date of birth is Feb. 2, 1982, while her birth certificate indicates her actual date of birth as Feb. 4, 1988.

She killed the baby on the afternoon of May 22, 2005. She was arrested by Dawadami police officers the same day, and allegedly confessed to killing the child.

AHRC Executive Director Basil Fernando told Arab News by telephone from Hong Kong Sunday that he would seek the help of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to resolve the case.
He also appealed to Al-Otaibi to consider sparing Nafeek’s life on humanitarian grounds and give her clemency.

"At the moment, we have no comment on the verdict of the Supreme Court," a senior diplomat from the Sri Lankan Embassy in Riyadh said.

In Sri Lanka, the Rupavahini and MTV Sirasa televisions channels also reported the outcome of Nafeek's case.

A social worker who visited Nafeek in jail during the weekend told Arab News that the maid was fine and desperate to see her parents and family.

"Although the prison authorities are aware of the final verdict, they have not told her, nor have I," the social worker said.

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  Comments - 73

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  • omer. Monday, 25 October 2010 10:57 AM

    How can MR DO IT ?WHEN HE HAS DONE THE WORST INJUSTICE TO THE GENERAL ,WILL HE HAVE THE BACK BONE TO ASK PARDON FOR THE POOR GIRL?

    DXB Monday, 25 October 2010 01:17 PM

    Instead of calling them inhuman , find out how this teen age girl manage to get a passport at adult age.

    Where is the Foreign employment agent beggers who collect money at Air port gate from poor house-maids .

    Gota ! send your police to passport office to investigate how this teen age got the passport at adult age.

    MSL Monday, 25 October 2010 01:08 PM

    Stupid Arabs Should Study The Case & Sentence the Agency Fellow Instead of Innocent Girl. Stop sending our ladies to this land any more. This is shame for Islamic world.

    Burampi Monday, 25 October 2010 01:06 PM

    Please don't send Maids to Saudi Arabia. We are Sri-Lankans should not send our women to other countries for SLAVEROY.
    We plead to the Hon President of Sri-Lanka for immidiate action.

    Mohan Monday, 25 October 2010 12:18 PM

    There people in saudi who do worse things than that and are given pardon but not ? cos she is not one of them

    Above the crowd Mr. Monday, 25 October 2010 11:27 AM

    They are just pigs. We don't say anything because they have the money.including the newspapers.

    kumar Monday, 25 October 2010 11:18 AM

    Bunki and the UN couldnt care less!! We have to take care of our own.

    Rasika Monday, 25 October 2010 11:02 AM

    We can send Ranjan R there to defend her

    Obelix Monday, 25 October 2010 11:01 AM

    I too am with you. Get the buffalo to fast in front of the Saudi Embassy. He may get shot by the Saudi guards!

    Faqi Monday, 25 October 2010 02:58 PM

    # nikita - There is no hanging in the KSA. She would be taken on Friday after prayers and made to kneel and then beheaded with a sword; that is what they do in KSA

    Sudath Monday, 25 October 2010 10:52 AM

    "THIS PASSPORT IS VALID FOR ALL COUNTRIES EXCEPT : KINGDOM OF SAUDIA ARABIA"

    Roshan DW Monday, 25 October 2010 10:40 AM

    No wonder there is no male role model in homes.The next generation is going down the dark path because of this.Men ahve given the leadership to women & teken the easy way out.God help us.

    Daniel Monday, 25 October 2010 10:37 AM

    Rizana gets death Penalty. Idi Amin who slaughtered hundreds of thousands got refuge and a luxury life in Saudi. Arabia was better of under the Hashemi Kingdom.

    fxt Monday, 25 October 2010 09:54 AM

    Foreign employment is the biggest foreign exchange earner. If we stop this, we will all starve to death. Such is the state of our country's economy despite all the big talk. We are all living on our womenfolk. First the garment trade and second the middle east slave labour.

    Nihal Fernando Monday, 25 October 2010 09:23 AM

    If All Mighty is real this poor little Muslim girl should be spared.

    Jona Monday, 25 October 2010 08:49 AM

    I am living in Riyadh and I know the true picture..The fact is when our embassy officials visited her in the prison she has arrogently told "Yes I killed the baby and I am going to say that I killed the Baby" so they have returned back..

    She is a very arrogant woman otherwise she would have got pardoned.

    Mendis Monday, 25 October 2010 08:39 AM

    As long as we allow our poor women to go to this country with ill mannered and inhuman people such tragedies will happen continuously.

    Government should stop SL women going to this uncivilised country with upstarts and find alternatives. After all this is not the only country that can give employment to our women.

    safra Wednesday, 03 November 2010 09:31 AM

    even thoug she has done a mistake and blamed for the death, this death is not planned or done for any purpose being a young age girl taking care of a infant is very crucial, so the only way is appologise the parents and get this sorted but the saudi government should not bury the truth of death as its only an accident by hanging her.

    Izy Tuesday, 26 October 2010 05:37 PM

    well said, if each is his/her savious we wont have pain we dont even have control over our bodies or anything for that matter things didnt just happen there is a supreme power and thats the creator

    Izy Tuesday, 26 October 2010 05:31 PM

    DUBAI went under but is staying afloat coz of Abu Dhabi , the sister city pumping millions of $$$$

    Izy Tuesday, 26 October 2010 05:29 PM

    EYE for an EYE will make the world go partially blind,
    Mahathma Gadhi

    2 wrongs dont make a right either,

    so if the parents have the heart in them to forgive which is hard, it's a divine act

    Faqi Tuesday, 26 October 2010 07:41 AM

    Hakeem Ahamed - I thought per your beloved messengers sharia law that this poor girl has been condemned to be beheaded? No other country except KSA & Iran would have condemned a minor to death both countries follow the laws of you messenger.

    Andaray Tuesday, 26 October 2010 07:35 AM

    Not "Arabic justice" it is the "Justice"

    Saradial Tuesday, 26 October 2010 07:29 AM

    Then what about victim? little baby and parants?

    Hakeem Ahamed Tuesday, 26 October 2010 04:46 AM

    Al-Otaibi has to forgive that poor sister Rizana only for the sake of almighty... As per to our beloved messenger's guidense.

    Kanniah Monday, 25 October 2010 08:23 AM

    She dared to go to an alien country overstating her age to feed her poor family. Saudis view asians as slaves. Only God can save this girl. I pray baby's parents would offer pardon.

    Kumara Tuesday, 26 October 2010 12:48 AM

    Are you an atheist? There will be time for you to think about God! What do you say if your daughter/son would be trapped on similar situation?

    Ranil Monday, 25 October 2010 07:43 PM

    Faqi I completely agree. God isn't our savior, you are your own savior.

    Please stop sending these girls to this country of barbarians. God won't stop it, so we must.

    mirzan Monday, 25 October 2010 05:28 PM

    you correct my friend. Only this way will solve this problem.

    happz Monday, 25 October 2010 04:40 PM

    only Dubai will survive after 40 tears from now.

    azath Monday, 25 October 2010 03:30 PM

    It is not the Saudi Arabia But our govt should take the action against these agencies and bureau. It is first shame on us for sending a underaged girl and our ladies for maid.

    azath Monday, 25 October 2010 03:24 PM

    How could any one blame Almighty for wrong things committed by either party. but He would surely judge them in Hereafter.

    PPK Monday, 25 October 2010 03:22 PM

    Pls stop sending them in arabic countries.there are lot of shortage of baby siters back home anyway.money might be less but after paying for the agent,still not werst off.

    Faqi Monday, 25 October 2010 03:06 PM

    Kanniah - Gods do not save anyone, its only wishful thinking of the archaic mind. If Gods saved humans, there would be no death or killings in this world. The primitive mind is a terrible thing, get back to reality and the 21st century.

    AZ Monday, 25 October 2010 05:17 AM

    The head of the agency who manipulated her age to send her to Saudi should be sentenced to death coz he is the one responsible for this - don't blame the Saudi law. it's not flexible like our SL law

    Hash Monday, 25 October 2010 05:53 AM

    Firstly, why did she has to lie and go abroad to work ?
    Who did send from SL knowing that still she is doing a wrong thing ?

    Roshan Musa Monday, 25 October 2010 05:44 AM

    Even the King of Saudi cannot interfere to revoke the ruling. only solution is the pardon from the baby's parents. If they pardon then this girl can come home, otherwise no other way

    Dee Monday, 25 October 2010 05:42 AM

    I second you

    Dee Monday, 25 October 2010 05:40 AM

    Foreign????

    Hussain Monday, 25 October 2010 05:39 AM

    So what is the verdict for the sexual harassment and inhuman treatment to Sri Lankans working in Saudi ?

    Saradial Monday, 25 October 2010 05:39 AM

    If she found guilty should be punished killing innocent baby, unless pardon by baby's parats. I don't know why our Sri Lankan support fellow Sri Lankan even they commit crime. I want to ask every body who support her, will you tolerate if your baby killed by someone?

    Mohamed Shafraz Monday, 25 October 2010 05:29 AM

    Yes always we see injustice in Sri Lanka so we think implementing Justice Idiots. Only solution is get pardon from Baby's parants.

    willow Monday, 25 October 2010 05:27 AM

    This is a result of poor PR with in our external affairs ministry. Poor lady has to wait for God's intervention????

    Aru Monday, 25 October 2010 05:53 AM

    Who asked anyone to go there?

    Fayad Monday, 25 October 2010 05:06 AM

    MR Please take up this case with the king of Saudi to grant her clemency considering the girls age & inexperience of handing a infant.

    Shivanka David Monday, 25 October 2010 05:04 AM

    May God Bless her if she's found Guilty cause the Saudi Law is very strict & not corrupted like the SL law.

    TR Monday, 25 October 2010 05:00 AM

    Kingdom of idiots !

    polkiccha Monday, 25 October 2010 04:43 AM

    the House-maid topic emerges again. why doesn't
    W**awansha stage a protest outside the saudi embassy?

    Anver Monday, 25 October 2010 04:36 AM

    Sad to see a Sri Lankan sister getting such a punishment in a foreign land.

    Shantha Monday, 25 October 2010 04:34 AM

    The government of sri lankanhas no back hone........they could not save an innocent maid .

    Dilan Monday, 25 October 2010 04:28 AM

    Justice will be served.

    shan Monday, 25 October 2010 04:15 AM

    Very sad news. Pls UN help this poor Sri Lankan girl. we need to bring her back to sri lanka alive.

    david Monday, 25 October 2010 06:12 AM

    those Saudis will rotten to death when oil run out

    Roshan DW Monday, 25 October 2010 08:06 AM

    This is a very sad story.We pray the parents will pardon the Sri Lankan girl.It's a another story of 21st centuary slave trade.

    Citizen Monday, 25 October 2010 08:00 AM

    Mr. Baila kept on promising everything had been done to save the life of the girl and that story was fine tuned by the Professor after his taking over the Ministry. We now know that all is only BAILA and the poor girl is to lose her life because of the bungling! We all feel that the Ministry miserably failed to save the poor girl's life!

    Riz Monday, 25 October 2010 07:25 AM

    This should be the last. We should have stopped sending maids to Saudi before they stop.

    Mr. MR, we should stop sending maids to any country. Foreign income is secondary when it comes to a life of a human being.

    Saradial Monday, 25 October 2010 07:15 AM

    Not fair blaming juges, they can give the verdict based on evidence submitted.

    Roshan Monday, 25 October 2010 06:47 AM

    It is very difficult to work under saudi law, sending housemaids should be totally banned.

    nikita Monday, 25 October 2010 06:46 AM

    by that time she will be hanged. you and your arabic justice

    spark Monday, 25 October 2010 06:15 AM

    In that case the foreign employment bureau also is squarely to blame for failing to screeen this applicant properly before she left SL.

    sltk2004 Monday, 25 October 2010 06:14 AM

    Somehow the supreme court of that country has given a verdict. If our supreme court has given a verdict against a foreigner and if the foreigner's country makes a big fuss about it what would we say?

    Obelix Monday, 25 October 2010 03:57 AM

    Please put a stop to sending these poor ladies to this inhumane country. I have worked there and know how Asian are treated.

    sltk2004 Monday, 25 October 2010 06:09 AM

    Why ask UN now? I thought UN was conspiring against us together with Western forces ...

    Dee Monday, 25 October 2010 06:09 AM

    they need to look after themselves first, instead on multiplying.

    Aru Monday, 25 October 2010 06:08 AM

    The parents of the baby did not know that they had employed a child to look after their child.

    Nilantha Monday, 25 October 2010 06:08 AM

    wonder the way you tried to interpret things...

    Mushi Monday, 25 October 2010 06:07 AM

    It is not clear if the girl is guilty or not. Allah will punish those who gave the wrong verdict if the girl is actually not guilty...Saudi Law is critcised by west for number of years.

    T. Ruth Monday, 25 October 2010 05:59 AM

    It is unfair to blame the laws of another country without knowing the full facts of case. First of all this girl has misquoted the age. Cheated the employer by giving a false age. Only way out is to seek redress legally, not by blaming the law authorities. Can.t you remember that our president too said "no one is above the law" when it came to the SF case.

    T Ruth

    dIREsTRAITS Monday, 25 October 2010 05:54 AM

    Do you know the circumstances of the death? Would you leave your baby with a child to feed it? The baby choked on the food and this child had no training what so ever to deal with it.
    If you can pop it out then why cant you look after and feed it ? You as a parent failed in your most basic responsibility and the poor baby and now this child is paying for it with no less than their lives. Least you can now do is pardon the girl and let her go.

    bash Monday, 25 October 2010 05:53 AM

    Yes he could fast unto death, this will be a real test for him


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