Saudi- Court annuls marriage of abusive husband

(MENAFN- Arab News) RIYADH: The Personal Status Court in Riyadh has found a man guilty of abusing his wife and annulled their marriage without having his SR50000 dowry returned.
His wife had filed a lawsuit accusing him of beating her with a shoe and kicking her in the stomach which resulted in her losing their baby a local newspaper reported.
The woman said she married two years ago but her husband has been abusive throughout particularly when she became pregnant. 'So I filed a lawsuit demanding that he should treat me well but he continued to threaten me with divorce and to kick me out of my house.'
She said her husband frequently told her that she was just a maid for his parents. 'He used to force me to clean his parents' house and when I refused he would hit me hard so I filed for divorce.'
The man admitted that he beat her but said he was justified because she allegedly disrespected him and his parents.
He said he hit her once in the face when she refused to help his mother.
The judge ruled the marriage should be annulled without compensation because the man had confessed to the crime. In addition the court found that the man's mother had repeatedly interfered in the marriage. There was no hope of reconciling the man and his wife the judge decided.
Fahd Al-Hasson a former judge and lawyer said marriage contracts are considered important as determined in the Qur'an. However they can be dissolved if a man abuses his wife.
'The judiciary in Islam tries to resolve marital disputes amicably. However if this is not possible women have the absolute right to protection under the law' he said.