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Sudanese 'trousers' woman fined | Sudanese 'trousers' woman fined |
(20 minutes later) | |
A Sudanese woman charged with dressing indecently for wearing trousers has been fined but spared being lashed. | A Sudanese woman charged with dressing indecently for wearing trousers has been fined but spared being lashed. |
A court in Khartoum ordered Lubna Ahmed Hussein to pay the equivalent of about $200 (£122), warning that she would be jailed for a month if she refused. | |
Ms Hussein, a journalist in her 30s, had also faced up to 40 lashes. | Ms Hussein, a journalist in her 30s, had also faced up to 40 lashes. |
She had quit her UN job, which would have given her immunity, saying she wanted her trial to become a test case for women's rights, correspondents say. | She had quit her UN job, which would have given her immunity, saying she wanted her trial to become a test case for women's rights, correspondents say. |
The announcement of the fine for Ms Hussein came shortly after the trial resumed on Monday. | The announcement of the fine for Ms Hussein came shortly after the trial resumed on Monday. |
Earlier, at least 40 protesters were held by police outside the courthouse in the Sudanese capital. | Earlier, at least 40 protesters were held by police outside the courthouse in the Sudanese capital. |
Some of them were women reportedly wearing trousers in support for Ms Hussein. | Some of them were women reportedly wearing trousers in support for Ms Hussein. |
All the protesters were later released on bail. | All the protesters were later released on bail. |
'Nothing wrong' | 'Nothing wrong' |
Ms Hussein was arrested in July together with 12 other women who were wearing trousers. | Ms Hussein was arrested in July together with 12 other women who were wearing trousers. |
During the trial she argued that she had done nothing wrong under Sudan's indecency law. | During the trial she argued that she had done nothing wrong under Sudan's indecency law. |
The BBC's James Copnall in Khartoum says it remains unclear whether Ms Hussein will pay the fine or opt to go to prison for a month. | The BBC's James Copnall in Khartoum says it remains unclear whether Ms Hussein will pay the fine or opt to go to prison for a month. |
It appears she was initially determined not to pay the fine, our correspondent says, but her lawyers are trying to convince her to do so. | It appears she was initially determined not to pay the fine, our correspondent says, but her lawyers are trying to convince her to do so. |
The case has gained increasing attention in the local media and has divided opinion within Sudanese society, our correspondent adds. | The case has gained increasing attention in the local media and has divided opinion within Sudanese society, our correspondent adds. |
On Friday, the London-based human rights group Amnesty International called on Khartoum to withdraw the charges against Ms Hussein and repeal the law used to justify flogging as a penalty for "indecent" dress. | On Friday, the London-based human rights group Amnesty International called on Khartoum to withdraw the charges against Ms Hussein and repeal the law used to justify flogging as a penalty for "indecent" dress. |