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Sudanese woman 'faces 40 lashes' Sudan 'trousers trial' adjourned
(about 3 hours later)
A Sudanese woman who is due to appear in court in Khartoum says she faces up to 40 lashes for wearing trousers. The trial of a Sudanese woman charged with wearing "indecent" clothing has been adjourned, but will continue after she decided to waive her immunity.
The woman, Lubna Hussein - a former journalist who now works for the United Nations - has invited journalists and observers to the trial. A Khartoum judge told Lubna Ahmed Hussein she could have immunity because she works for the UN.
But Ms Hussein, who claims she was arrested for wearing trousers, said she wanted carry on with the trial because she wanted to get the law changed.
Under Sudanese law she could face 40 lashes if she is found guilty.
"I wish to resign from the UN, I wish this court case to continue," she told a packed courtroom.
The woman - a journalist who works for the UN mission in Sudan - had invited journalists and observers to the trial.
She was arrested in a restaurant in the capital with other women earlier this month for wearing "indecent" clothing.She was arrested in a restaurant in the capital with other women earlier this month for wearing "indecent" clothing.
She said 10 of the women arrested, including non-Muslims, later each received 10 lashes and a fine of $100. 'Unconstitutional law'
She said 10 of the women arrested with her, including non-Muslims, each received 10 lashes and a fine.
Ms Hussein and two other women asked for a lawyer, delaying their trials.Ms Hussein and two other women asked for a lawyer, delaying their trials.
Now Ms Hussein has printed 500 invitation cards and sent out e-mails, saying she wants as many people as possible to attend her hearing on Wednesday.
She says she has done nothing wrong under Sharia law, but could fall foul of a paragraph in Sudanese criminal law which forbids indecent clothing.She says she has done nothing wrong under Sharia law, but could fall foul of a paragraph in Sudanese criminal law which forbids indecent clothing.
"I want to change this law, because this law doesn't match in constitution," she told the BBC. "I want to change this law, because hitting is not human, and also it does not match with Sharia law," she told the BBC.
"It is important that people know what is happening," Ms Hussein is reported to have written on the invitations she circulated.
"They will lash me 40 times, and also fine me 250 Sudanese pounds ($100)."
The BBC's James Copnall in Khartoum says Ms Hussein is determined to generate as much publicity as she can.The BBC's James Copnall in Khartoum says Ms Hussein is determined to generate as much publicity as she can.
In a related development, a female journalist who wrote an article critical of the way Ms Hussein has been treated has been charged with defaming the police. Meanwhile another female journalist who wrote an article supporting Ms Hussein has been charged with defaming the police, which can carry a hefty fine.
Amal Habbani faces a substantial fine if found guilty, AFP news agency reports. Amal Habbani wrote an article for Ajrass Al-Horreya newspaper following the arrests entitled "Lubna, a case of subduing a woman's body".