Couple arrested for torturing maid to death

JUBAIL. August 25. KAZINFORM A 28-year-old maid described only as "Asian" was beaten to death by her sponsor and his wife last Friday, a local daily reported on Monday, Kazinform refers to Arab News.

Police confirmed reports the maid was brought to a local hospital in Jubail dead with multiple wounds and burns to her body and head. Police said an iron rod was used to beat and burn the maid.

Police have arrested the 36-year-old Saudi and his 29-year-old wife. The man confessed to beating the maid with an iron rod. He also said the rod was heated to burn the maid.

The couple claimed that they had to resort to the beatings because of the maid's attitude. The husband justified his behavior saying the maid repeatedly failed to carry out his orders and also neglected work inside the house.

The man confessed that his wife joined him in torturing the maid more than once. A special team set up to investigate the murder transferred the employer's wife to a women's shelter in Al-Ahsa because she is not over 30. It is common to place women in detention in such shelters.

Col. Yousuf Al-Qahtani, spokesman for the Eastern Province police, said that the employer was still in custody. The body of the maid is still at hospital. The diplomatic mission of the maid's home country will soon get involved to repatriate the body.

In February, a Saudi couple was arrested on charges of beating and burning a Sri Lankan maid who was found by security patrols near the sea at Yanbu Industrial City. Police said the maid suffered burns across her body, especially her hands. Police said the employer and his wife denied mistreating the maid, insisting the injuries were self-inflicted.