A young Saudi woman who was tried to flee her family and attempted to come to Australia has allegedly been forced to return to the Middle East after she was intercepted by authorities in Thailand. Held at Bangkok airport, the 18-year-old Rahaf Mohammed Alqunun claims she would be killed if she was repatriated by Thai immigration officials.
Rahaf Alqunun said claims she was abducted on Sunday and had her passport confiscated by Saudi Arabian diplomatic staff on arrival at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport.
“I’m calling for all people inside the transit area in Bangkok to protest against deporting me to Kuwait,” she tweeted on Monday.
The incident comes against the backdrop of intense scrutiny on Saudi Arabia over its investigation and handling of the shocking murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi last year, which has renewed criticism of the kingdom’s rights record.
Alqunun said she had been abused by her family and would be killed if she returned home.
“My family is strict and locked me in a room for six months just for cutting my hair,” she said. “I’m sure 100 percent they will kill me as soon as I get out of the Saudi jail,” she added, adding that she was “scared” and “losing hope”.
Rahaf was stopped from entering Thailand when she flew in from Kuwait on Sunday.
