A Saudi woman held at Bangkok airport said she would be killed if she is repatriated by Thai immigration officials, who have confirmed the 18-year-old was denied entry to the country.
Rahaf Mohammed Alqunun told the AFP news agency on Sunday she was stopped by Saudi and Kuwaiti officials when she arrived in Suvarnabhumi airport and her travel document was forcibly taken from her, a claim backed by Human Rights Watch.
“They took my passport,” she told AFP, adding that her male guardian had reported her for travelling “without his permission”.
Rahaf said she was trying to flee her family, who subjected her to physical and psychological abuse.
“My family is strict and locked me in a room for six months just for cutting my hair,” she said, adding that she is certain she will be imprisoned if she is sent back.
“I’m sure 100 percent they will kill me as soon as I get out of the Saudi jail,” she said, adding that she was “scared” and “losing hope”.
Rahaf was stopped from entering Thailand when she flew in from Kuwait on Sunday, Thailand’s immigration chief Surachate Hakparn told AFP.
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“She had no further documents such as return ticket or money,” he said, adding that Rahaf was currently in an airport hotel.