Indonesian maid accused of poisoning baby escapes Saudi death penalty

17 February 2013 10:18 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 31 Bookmark

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An Indonesian maid charged with murdering the infant son of her employers by mixing rat poison into his milk, has been cleared in court. Despite the ruling the baby's parents are insisting on the death penalty for the maid.

Indonesian maid Nurqoyah Bint Marsan Dasan Nuriya, 41, faced the death penalty over charges of murdering four-month old Mishari Al-Bushal, who died in June 2010. The court in Damman ruled that three medical reports did not prove the baby was poisoned and his death may have been due to a genetic condition.

Whilst awaiting trial media reports claimed Nuriya had confessed to killing the infant.

Outrage followed the recent beheading of Sri Lankan maid Rizana Nafeek in Saudi Arabia. Aspersions were cast on the Saudi legal system along with criticism for authorities in Sri Lanka who stood accused of not doing enough to try to save Nafeek.

Authorities in Indonesia though went the extra mile to prevent the execution of Nuriya. Al Saudi Arabia reported "Indonesia created this special task force to protect migrant workers" and employs special attorneys versed in sharia law to fight for the rights of Indonesian migrant workers facing the death penalty.

Nuriya's trial was attended by representatives from the Indonesian Embassy and the Human Rights Commission.

In spite of the court verdict the family of Mishari Al-Bushal are insisting Nuriya is sentenced to death. According to the Saudi Gazette the family intend to appeal the court ruling, insisting the maid confessed to the murder of the infant.

Tensions remain high between the governments of Saudi Arabia and Indonesia over the issue of migrant workers rights. (digitaljournal)