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Sudanese 'trousers woman' jailed Sudanese 'trousers woman' jailed
(18 minutes later)
A Sudanese woman has been jailed for dressing indecently by wearing trousers, say her lawyers. A Sudanese woman has been jailed for a month after refusing to pay a fine for "dressing indecently" by wearing trousers, her lawyers say.
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. Lubna Ahmed Hussein did not want to "give the verdict any legitimacy" by paying the fine of about $200 (£122), her lawyer, Nabil Adib, told the BBC.
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. Before the verdict, she had said 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 had resigned from her job at the UN, which would have given her immunity.
"She will stay in prison, she doesn't want to give the verdict any legitimacy," said Mr Adib.
"She thinks she was unfairly tried and convicted, and was not given a proper chance to put her defence case."
Mr Adib said Ms Hussein would appeal to both the Court of Appeal and the Constitutional Court.
Ms Hussein wore loose trousers to the hearing in KhartoumMs 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. Kamal Omar, another of Ms Hussein's lawyers, told the AFP news agency his client had been taken to the women's prison in Omdurman.
The BBC's James Copnall, at the court in Khartoum, 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 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.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.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'
Ms Hussein's supporters were heckled by Islamists, who tore up some of the women's homemade signs, says our correspondent.Ms Hussein's supporters were heckled by Islamists, who tore up some of the women's homemade signs, says our correspondent.
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, he adds.
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."