‘Imprisoned’ daughter case ends after reconciliation with father
AHIGH Court case involving a young woman who claimed she was being imprisoned by her father has come to an end.
Amina Al-Jeffery, 21, who grew up in Swansea and has dual British and Saudi Arabian nationality, had complained that her father locked her up in his flat in Jeddah because she had “kissed a guy”.
Her father, Saudi academic Mohammed Al-Jeffery, disputed her allegations and said he was trying to protect her.
Last year, Mr Justice Holman said her father had to “permit and facilitate” his daughter’s return to England or Wales, but she has not returned.
Yesterday in London, the judge heard that after a recent private meeting in Jeddah with her solicitor, Miss Al-Jeffery wanted to withdraw the proceedings so she could focus on the reunion with her family.
She said her father had assured her that she would not be prevented from pursuing her career and education and would have free access to her telephone and laptop. He had also said that she would be free to enter into a marriage if and when she wished.
He would not prevent her from leaving Saudi Arabia when she was ready to do so and she would be treated no differently from her sisters. Her solicitor, Anne-Marie Hutchinson, told the court that Ms Al-Jeffery said that without the proceedings her life “would be very different and not be where it is now”.
“Amina is very clear that she would not have what she has now in terms of freedom and a life if it were not for these proceedings. This is based not only on what the court has achieved for her in terms of orders and her ability to meet outside agencies for assistance but because of the understanding that she has achieved with her father and the reconciliation that they have made in their relationship.”
Ms Hutchinson said that Miss Al-Jeffery looked well and relaxed and she did not detect anything “unnatural” or forced. She lived with her father and two elder sisters, but had a driver and was able to have a life and friendships outside her home.
Her objective was to work in Saudi Arabia before attending university in the UK, and her father would support her in that.
Her relationship with her father was generally good and she loved him.
“Amina instructs that it is important for her to show her father that she is able to keep to her plans and to get into a position whereby she is able to independently support herself.
“Amina instructs that she is happy in her life in Saudi Arabia. By choice she would not have come to Saudi Arabia but she has now accepted it.
“Amina instructs that she has made a life for herself in Saudi Arabia and intends to make the most of it.”
She felt that to continue the proceedings would be counterproductive and she had come to this decision freely, said the solicitor.
Mr Al-Jeffery’s counsel, Marcus ScottManderson QC, said he stressed that he wanted what was best for his daughter.