Woman Locked Up By Father For 4 Years For ‘UnIslamic Behavior’

A 16 year-old girl was held prisoner by her own father in Saudi Arabia for more than 4 years after she was accused of ‘un-Islamic behaviour’.

Amina Al-Jeffery, now 21 years old, was born in Swansea, Wales but then taken to Saudi Arabia because her father did not agree with her western lifestyle.

Her father Mohammed Al-Jeffery, 62, works at the King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah and has reportedly received state funding from the Saudi government in order to object to the High Court’s order to return his daughter to Britain.

The father of 9 moved to Swansea before Amina was born. The family is said to have claimed benefits and his children were educated at British schools and universities.

The forced marriage unit of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said that steps need to be taken to ensure Amina is returned to the UK where her safety can be guaranteed as Saudi authorities refuse to recognise her British citizenship.

Mr Al-Jeffery had been ordered by the High Court to take his daughter to the British consulate in Jeddah on Monday so she could have a confidential discussion with her lawyers, but he refused to do this.

It was until he received a guarantee from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office that his daughter would not be granted sanctuary that he allowed her to attend a meeting with consular staff at a hotel under the supervision of someone he employed.

The case is currently receiving a court hearing.