Friday, March 1, 2013

Islamic paradise of Maldives: 15-year-old rape victim to get 100 lashes for having premarital sex

(Fox News) A 15-year-old girl in the Maldives who was allegedly raped by her stepfather was sentenced to 100 lashes for having premarital sex with a different man.

During an investigation into the alleged rape by her stepfather, the girl eventually told police that she had consensual sex with a second man, Sky News reports.

Sex outside marriage is illegal in the Maldives, which operates under Islamic law.

Amnesty International said the punishment was "cruel, degrading and inhumane," while the Maldivian government didn’t agree with the sentencing and is considering changing the law, the BBC reports.

In addition to the rape, the girl’s stepfather is accused of killing and burying a baby conceived from it. He faces 25 years in prison if convicted.

Court officials say the girl will be lashed when she turns 18, and she was also placed under eight months of house arrest, Sky News reports.