Saudi preacher who raped, murdered daughter freed
Fayhan al-Ghamdi spent only few months in jail despite admitting to using cane, cables to torture his five-year-old daughter whose virginity he questioned
A Saudi preacher who tortured his five-year-old daughter to death has been released after agreeing to pay 'blood money', The Daily Mail reported.
Lama al-Ghamdi died in October having suffered multiple injuries including a crushed skull, broken ribs and left arm, extensive bruising and burns, according to the report.
Related stories:
- Is Modiin Illit concealing girl's rape?
- Saudis behead housemaid for killing infant
- House of horrors: 21 years of rape, abuse
She had also been repeatedly raped and then burned.
Her father Fayhan al-Ghamdi, a prominent Islamist preacher who regularly appears on television in Saudi Arabia, served only a few months in jail despite admitting to having used a cane and cables to inflict the injuries.
Lama al-Ghamdi. Spent 10 months in hospital before succumbing to wounds
Women's rights activists said al-Ghamdi had doubted Lama's virginity and had her checked up by a medic.
Rather than the death penalty or a long prison sentence, the judge in the case ruled the prosecution could only seek 'blood money', according to activists.
Father questioned five-year-old daughter's virginity
According to the report, the judge ruled the few months al-Ghamdi spent in prison since his arrest in November was sufficient punishment.
He has reportedly agreed to pay £31,000 ($50,000), which is believed to have gone to Lama's mother.
Activists say under Islamic laws a father cannot be executed for murdering his children. Husbands can also not be executed for murdering their wives, they say.
A social media campaign is now gaining momentum after the ruling was publicized.
- Receive Ynetnews updates
directly to your desktop
