Saudi asylum seeker heading to Canada

TEENAGER LEAVES THAILAND

A SAUDI teenager who holed up in Thailand after fleeing alleged abuse by her family has left Bangkok for Canada to take up an offer of asylum, according to Thailand’s immigration police chief.

Rahaf Mohammed Alqunun, 18, took a flight to Seoul, South Korea, with a final destination of Toronto, said Police Chief Surachate Hakparn.

Canada’s ambassador saw her off at the airport, Mr Surachate said, adding that she looked happy and healthy. “She chose Canada. It’s her personal decision,” he said.

She was on her way to Australia last Saturday, but was stopped at a Bangkok airport by immigration police who seized her passport.

She barricaded herself in an airport hotel room and launched a social media campaign that drew global attention to her case.

Thai officials agreed to admit her temporarily under the protection of UN officials, who granted her refugee status on Wednesday.

The case has highlighted the cause of women’s rights in Saudi Arabia. Several female Saudis fleeing abuse by their families have been caught trying to seek asylum abroad in recent years.

If Canada takes Ms Mohammed Alqunun, it could further upset Saudi-canada relations. In August, Saudi Arabia expelled Canada’s ambassador to the kingdom and withdrew its own ambassador in a row over the arrests of women’s right activists.