Two Saudi sisters appealed for help Wednesday from the former Soviet republic of Georgia after fleeing their country, in the latest case of runaways from the ultra-conservative kingdom using social media to seek asylum.
Published Wednesday, April 17, 2019 7:05AM EDTUsing a newly created Twitter account called "," they identified themselves as Maha al-Subaie, 28, and Wafa al-Subaie, 25. Like other Saudi women who have fled and turned to social media, they posted copies of their passports to establish their identities.
Saudi women who run away are almost always fleeing abusive male relatives and claim there are few good choices for them to report the abuse in Saudi Arabia. Saudi women caught running away in the kingdom can be forced into restrictive shelters, pressured to reconcile with their abusers or detained on charges of disobedience.
In another post, the sisters appear with their faces showing and their hair uncovered -- a taboo for conservative families in Saudi Arabia. The post says they are showing their faces in order for the world to "remember us" in case something happens to them. Human Rights Watch's local expert, Giorgi Gogia, said the rights organization is aware of the sisters' situation and is following it closely.
There had been speculation that al-Qunun's successful getaway would inspire others to copy her, but powerful deterrents remain in place. If caught, runaways face possible death at the hands of relatives for purportedly shaming the family.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Penticton shootings: Two men and two women slain Monday, possibly in neighbours’ spatRenate Winter, the wife of the first victim – 71-year-old Rudi Winter – said the shootings were likely linked to a neighbourhood dispute
Read more »
Two Saudi sisters fled the kingdom and are holed up in Georgia, pleading for help on social media‘The family and the Saudi government have suspended our passports and now we are trapped in Georgia country. We need your help please’
Read more »
Saudi Aramco buys stake in South Korean refiner unit for $1.2-billionHyundai Heavy Industries said that it had signed a sales agreement with Saudi Aramco that included an option for Aramco to buy an additional 2.9-per-cent stake in Hyundai Oilbank
Read more »
High court won’t hear appeal over sale of armoured vehicles to Saudi ArabiaSupreme Court of Canada will not delve into the multibillion-dollar sale of Canadian-made light armoured vehicles to Saudi Arabia
Read more »
Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s children deny considering settlement over murderThe Washington Post, where Khashoggi was a columnist, reported last week his children were given million-dollar houses and monthly five-figure payments as compensation
Read more »
Two men sought after pair of armed carjackings in North YorkPolice have released surveillance camera images of two men wanted after two women were attacked by knife-wielding suspects and one of them was carjacked in North York last Saturday evening.
Read more »
Fire breaks out at Bangkok mall complex, killing at least twoFire breaks out at Bangkok mall complex, killing at least 2
Read more »
Two Canadians detained in China are prevented from seeing the sun or going outside, official saysWednesday marked four months of detention for Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, who are being held in a government system that gives Chinese authorities up to six months to conduct interrogations outside the formal legal system
Read more »
CFL coaches can make two challenges per game - TSN.caCFL head coaches will have the opportunity this season to launch two challenges in a game. The league's board of governors accepted a recommendation Wednesday from the CFL's rules committee that if a coach's first challenge is successful, he gets to issue a second in the same game. Last season, coaches had just one challenge per contest.
Read more »