Rania's Case Raises Legal Questions (Arab News)

[gottaB]

The Rania Al-Baz abuse case is likely to be one of the first tests for the newly established National Human Rights Association (NHRA). On April4 , the popular TV presenter was beaten by her husband, suffering 13facial fractures, and then dumped at a local hospital. Four days ago the husband surrendered to police and will remain in custody until a judge sees him in four weeks.

When members of the NHRA visited Rania in the hospital, she told them she wanted a divorce and custody of her children. Jawhara Al-Anqari, a senior member of the NHRA, said that she would personally see to it that justice was done. But the NHRA can do nothing until the judge rules on the case.

According to Shariah, in the event of a divorce, the mother gets custody of the children until the age of seven; after that, a boy is given the option of staying with his father or mother, with the other parent given visitation rights. Girls are given to the father. Exceptions are made in unusual circumstances; however, in Saudi courts, judges usually rule in favor of the father, regardless of his character or ability to support the children.

[BlueEyedSon]

1. Which part of Saudi law states that her husband should go to jail?

[LittleApple81]

2. You must be kidding. I don't believe that part of the law exists.n/t

[forgethell]

3. Why not?

It's right in the article, written by an Arab. Saudi Arabia isn't the United States, you know. They have a number of customs that we would find offensive, like cutting off people's heads for adultery, and cutting off their hands for theft.

:kick:

[gottaB]

4. I think it depends on what charges are brought--

In addition to spousal abuse ("wife battery"), he was wanted for attempted murder, though that may have been dropped??

Another news story

http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1§ion=0&article=43114&d=14&m=4&y=2004

Surely it's a crime. The problem is reporting, enforcement and prosecution.