DAMMAM — Asir Emir Prince Faisal Bin Khaled has ordered another investigation into the suicide of a Saudi woman who reportedly killed herself because her brother used to take her money, prevented her from getting married and abused her. The emir also ordered those carrying out the investigation into Hanan Al-Shehri's death to report directly to him. Ali Al-Shehri, Hanan's brother, is facing several charges including disobedience, stealing his sisters' money, preventing his sister from getting married and using violence against her. Fayiz Al-Shahrani, the lawyer for Hanan's family, said investigations would be conducted with accused parties in the case. The testimonies of Hanan in the hospital before her death would be taken into consideration, he said. Urgent solutions will be found for Hanan's mother and two sisters, Atheer and Amaal, during the next few days in line with directives from Prince Faisal. They could be transferred to a distant location, either Bisha or Abha, he said. The lawyer added that there were attempts by relatives of the family to negotiate with Ali in the presence of the head of the Islamic Affairs Ministry in Asir to reach a settlement out of court. He said the mother and two sisters were asked to drop the Hanan case and the disobedience charge in return for the money Hanan, her two sisters and mother was entitled to. The inheritance would also be divided and he would no longer be the guardian for the mother and two sisters.The brother refused to give up guardianship. Al-Shahrani said in case an amicable solution is not reached, the brother could be imprisoned for two to seven years if convicted of the disobedience charge. Meanwhile, Aisha Al-Shehri, Hanan's sister, said her mother has rejected all reconciliation initiatives and refused to meet Ali. She also refused to meet Hanan's maternal uncle, who allegedly beat her daughter to discipline her. The mother was happy to let the Shariah Court decide on the case, said Aisha. She added that Hanan was “hasty” in ending her life but was left disappointed by the judge when she went to the court before her death to ask them to scrap his brother's right to guardianship because he prevented her from getting married. The judge insisted that the guardianship should remain, disappointing Hanan and convincing her to end her life.
