Young Saudi woman fears family will kill her after she left Islam

A young Saudi woman who fled her family after fears they would kill her following her denouncement of Islam, can stay in Thailand and is expected to be granted asylum in another country, the head of Thailand’s immigration police said on Monday.

Major General Surachate Hakparn said the woman, 18-year-old Rahaf Mohammed Alqunun, had been placed “under the care” of the UN’s refugee agency.

The High Commission told me she will be granted asylum in a third country within five days, he added.

Alqunun says she has suffered physical and psychological abuse by family members and fears for her life if she is returned to Saudi Arabia.

Alqunun gained international attention over the weekend after she landed at Bangkok’s international airport from Kuwait on her way to Australia, where she planned to claim asylum.

Alqunun barricaded herself in a Bangkok hotel room as she posted pleas for asylum over the weekend.

Alqunun says her family in Saudi Arabia has abused her and might kill her if she is deported back home.

We will not send anyone to die. We will not do that. We will adhere to human rights under the rule of law, said Thai Immigration Police chief Maj. Gen. Surachate Hakparn.

Earlier on Monday, Alqunun's father arrived in Thailand, setting off concerns that she might be forced to return to Saudi Arabia.

My father just arrived, she said in an update on Monday, adding that it "worried and scared me a lot.

Hey I'm Rahaf. My father just arrived as I heard witch worried and scared me a lot and I want to go to another country that I seek asylum in
But at least I feel save now under UNHCR protection with the agreement of Thailand authorities. And I finally got my passport back🙏🏻❤️ pic.twitter.com/pQER7HDVi7

— Rahaf Mohammed رهف محمد القنون (@rahaf84427714) January 7, 2019

source: dw.com