UK authorities have granted permanent asylum in the United Kingdom to a Saudi princess who had a child out of wedlock with a British. Had this not happened and mother and child return to Saudi Arabia, both run the risk of being meted the capital punishment by flogging or stoning to death.
The identity of the couple will be kept confidential by order of the Immigration and Asylum tribunal which approved her appeal. The case is one of several that occur in the United Kingdom, and that authorities do not want to openly confirm the developments and identities so as not to harm relations with Saudi Arabia.
The woman, a member of a wealthy Saudi family, met his non-Muslim British partner during a visit to London and the two began a relationship. The Saudi princess became pregnant the following year, worrying her of the possibility that her husband, a member of the Saudi royal family, will find out. She was able to go back to the UK to give birth in secret.
The woman explained to the court that if she returns to her country, she and her son could be sentenced to death under Sharia (Islamic law) by flogging or stoning. She also fears the possibility of honor killing. Since she left Saudi Arabia, her family and her husband’s family have stopped all contact with her.
