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Sudanese 'trousers' woman fined Sudanese 'trousers woman' jailed
(about 2 hours later)
A Sudanese woman charged with dressing indecently for wearing trousers has been fined but spared being lashed. A Sudanese woman has been jailed for dressing indecently by wearing trousers, say her lawyers.
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. Lubna Ahmed Hussein had earlier said she would rather go to jail than pay a fine, equivalent to about $200 (£122), imposed by the court in Khartoum.
Ms Hussein, a journalist in her 30s, could have been given up to 40 lashes.Ms Hussein, a journalist in her 30s, could have been given 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.
Kamal Omar, one of Ms Hussein's lawyers, said his client had been taken to the women's prison in Omdurman.
Ms Hussein wore loose trousers to the hearing in Khartoum
The BBC's James Copnall, at the court, says Ms Hussein had previously said she was determined not to pay the fine but her lawyers had been trying to convince her to do so.
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.
The journalist - who appeared in the same kind of loose trousers, top and shawl she was wearing when arrested - was found guilty of wearing "indecent clothing" under article 152 of Sudanese criminal law. The journalist - who appeared in the same loose green trousers, top and shawl she was wearing when arrested - was found guilty of wearing "indecent clothing" under article 152 of Sudanese criminal law.
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.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.
Our correspondent saw one woman being hit eight or nine times by police with truncheons.
All the protesters were later released on bail.All the protesters were later released on bail.
'Nothing wrong''Nothing wrong'
The BBC's James Copnall, who was outside the court in Khartoum, says Ms Hussein's supporters were heckled by Islamists, who tore up some of the women's homemade signs. Ms Hussein's supporters were heckled by Islamists, who tore up some of the women's homemade signs, says our correspondent.
Ms Hussein wore loose trousers to the hearing in Khartoum The presence of diplomats and human rights activists inside the court, and the protests outside, show that the trial has become a test case for women's rights in Sudan, he adds.
The presence of diplomats and human rights activists inside the court, and the protests outside, show that the trial has become a test case for women's rights in Sudan, our correspondent 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.
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.
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.
In a column published in the UK's Guardian newspaper on Friday, Ms Hussein wrote: "When I think of my trial, I pray that my daughters will never live in fear of these police... We will only be secure once the police protect us and these laws are repealed."In a column published in the UK's Guardian newspaper on Friday, Ms Hussein wrote: "When I think of my trial, I pray that my daughters will never live in fear of these police... We will only be secure once the police protect us and these laws are repealed."