Saudi Arabia has defended a controversial verdict sentencing a rape victim to a six-month jail term and 200 lashes.
Standing by its decision, the Ministry of Justice said in a statement, 'The charges were proven against the woman for having been in a car with an unrelated male and repeated criticism of her lawyer for talking defiantly about the judicial system.'
The court also banned lawyer Abdul Rahman Al Lahem from further defending the woman, confiscated his licence and summoned him to a disciplinary hearing later this month.
The ministry implied
that the victim's sentence was increased because she had spoken out to the press.
'For whoever has an objection on verdicts issued, the system allows to appeal without resorting to the media,' said the statement, the Gulf News reported.
The woman had earlier been sentenced to 90 lashes.
The verdict sentencing the victim led to an international outcry. The New York-based Human Rights Watch said the verdict not only sent victims of sexual violence the message that they should not press charges, but in effect offers protection and impunity to the perpetrators.'
