Saudi king pardons rape victim who was sentenced to 200 lashes

SAUDI ARABIA’S King Abdullah has pardoned a female rape victim who had been sentenced to six months in prison and 200 lashes.

Saudi justice minister Abdullah bin Muhammed al-Sheik said the pardon does not mean the king doubted the country’s judges, but instead acted in the “interests of the people”.

“The king always looks into alleviating the suffering of the citizens when he becomes sure that these verdicts will leave psychological effects on the convicted people, though he is convinced and sure that the verdicts were fair.”