Australia Will Consider Granting Asylum To Saudi Woman Who Fears For Her Life
The 18-year-old fled her family and was detained in Thailand en route to Australia. Australia's Department of Home Affairs says her application for a humanitarian visa will be "carefully considered."
A Saudi woman who fled her family in hopes of seeking asylum in Australia, only to be detained in Thailand, may receive Australia's protection after all.
Rahaf Mohammed Alqunun, 18, plotted an escape from what she describes as persistent abuse and oppression by family members in Saudi Arabia. She began by boarding a plane by herself to Thailand, but the plan quickly spiraled out of control.
At Bangkok's international airport, security officials stopped her and confiscated her was later returned. Alqunun said she was taken to a transit hotel room in the airport as Thai officials arranged for her to be deported.
