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Sudan 'trousers trial' adjourned | Sudan 'trousers trial' adjourned |
(39 minutes later) | |
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 trial of a Sudanese woman charged with wearing "indecent" clothing has been adjourned, but will continue after she decided to waive her immunity. |
A Khartoum judge told Lubna Ahmed Hussein she could have immunity because she works for the UN. | 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. | 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. | 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. | "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. | 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. |
'Unconstitutional law' | 'Unconstitutional law' |
She said 10 of the women arrested with her, including non-Muslims, each received 10 lashes and a fine. | 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. |
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 hitting is not human, and also it does not match with Sharia law," 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. |
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. |
Meanwhile another female journalist who wrote an article supporting Ms Hussein has been charged with defaming the police, which can carry a hefty fine. | 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 wrote an article for Ajrass Al-Horreya newspaper following the arrests entitled "Lubna, a case of subduing a woman's body". | Amal Habbani wrote an article for Ajrass Al-Horreya newspaper following the arrests entitled "Lubna, a case of subduing a woman's body". |