Saudi executes convicted Lankan maid Rizana Nafeek

The Government of Sri Lanka expressed shock and grief over the beheading of a maid Rizana Nafeek for killing an infant in Saudi Arabia.

Nafeek had been working in Saudi Arabia for two weeks in 2005 when the Utaibi family’s four-month-old baby died in her care.
 
Although Nafeek had initially stated that she had murdered the infant. However, she later retracted her confession saying that whatever statement she had given earlier was made under duress. She later claimed that the baby died in a choking accident during feeding.
 
Both Justice Minister Rauff Hakeem and Foreign Employment Promotion Minister Dilan Perera made separate statements in the parliament on Wednesday on behalf of the ruling party, according to the Daily Mirror.

Perera said a delegation, including Rizana’s parents had been planning to leave for Saudi Arabia for clemency pleas.
 
It was earlier reported that the Saudi Arabia’s Interior Ministry under Prince Mohammed bin Nayef bin Abdul Aziz has issued instructions for Nafeek’s execution.

The Saudi Arabian government went ahead with her execution.

Director General Public Communication Anzul Jhan told Timesonline that she was executed around 11.40 am Saudi time on Thursday.

Minister Rauff Hakeem said that the King of Saudi Arabia had made all possible efforts to grant a pardon to her in response to a request by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

 

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Comments

  • fathima 30 January 2013 14:01 1 0
    My deepest sympathies to her. Very, very sad news.
  • Tutiana 11 January 2013 12:59 14 1
    Agencies need to stop sending maids to Saudi Arabia. There's a shortage of maids in Asian countries. Salaries and terms are the same.
  • Hem 10 January 2013 17:08 19 3
    I dont think that there is a single Sri Lankan who is not shocked and saddenedt. We are all praying for you dear Rizana. May your soul rest in peace.
  • RAHNAS 10 January 2013 15:32 14 1
    IT'S HAPPEN AN ACCIDENTLY SO SHE SHOULD NOT PUNNISHED SUCH A WAY
  • Lisa 10 January 2013 13:31 23 2
    At 17 she is only a child and not qualified to be entrusted with the care of a baby.The parents should be held responsible instead.This is bizarre!
  • Shenelka Navodana 10 January 2013 12:27 12 1
    In loving memory of Miss. Rizana Nafeek (4 February 1988 - 9 January 2013)
  • Luc Plouffe 9 January 2013 23:40 9 0
    Unblievable and Sad...
  • raheem 9 January 2013 21:01 8 0
    I can't imagine this end.this is big tragedy. my condolence to her family.
  • MLK 9 January 2013 20:31 7 0
    If the law whatever it is perfect, it should have seen the Innocence of the girl.
  • Kumar 9 January 2013 19:56 27 4
    EXTREMELY SAD! MY DEEPEST SYMPATHIES! Cannot imagine this type of punishment for an accident and NOT an action with her intention! May she attain Nibbana.
  • MJ 9 January 2013 19:41 16 20
    Rg:- this is not a matter of the politicians. child's father wanted to execute this girl as per the sharia law and refused to accept blood money.
  • A Mouner 9 January 2013 19:36 27 4
    Rizana was found guilty on the probability she killed the baby and without any tangible evidence that she killed the baby. The govt. of Sri Lanka did its best to save Rizana and there must be islandwide protest.
  • MM 9 January 2013 19:36 60 5
    Sri lanka should stop sending house maids to Soudi Arabia. She was 17 years old poor girl.
  • mac 9 January 2013 19:04 21 3
    a child was sentanced lets all sri lankans pray for rizana .
  • Shyanka 9 January 2013 18:24 39 1
    Rizana was only 17 years. cannot the family understand that it was an accident? Rapists are being released, but innocent, poor kids helping out their families are beheaded? what is this world? so heartless, so unforgiving? so revengeful Will they get their baby back? But let them feel that there is a Overall Overpowering Being watching
  • mike 9 January 2013 17:44 26 2
    It appears that President Rajapakse's appeal did not bear any fruit against the strict laws of The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. May the poor girl's soulrest in peace.
  • Rg 9 January 2013 17:33 41 6
    I never thought Saudi's will act this way.Many visited from Sri Lanka, but not a single could convince the Saudi Authorities. This would have been different If Sirimavo Former PM was living at this time.This shows politicians Sri Lanka are not respected these days in overseas.Sad.

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