Corpun file 11860

The Times, London, 27 September 1977

Lebanese rapist given 100 lashes in public

Abu Dhabi, Sept 26. -- A Lebanese man convicted of rape has received 100 lashes in the first public flogging since Muslim religious courts took over jurisdiction of criminal cases in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The English-language Emirates News, the only paper to carry a report and photographs of the flogging yesterday in the busy central market, said the man withstood the first 10 lashes well, but later broke down screaming.

The rapist, Hassan Abdul Majeed Saad, a 22-year-old oil company technician, was given a 12-year jail sentence as well. He was also accused of attempting to rape 18 other women. He goes on trial again next month on another rape charge. -- Reuter.