MADINA: The General Court in Madina dismissed Saturday the case brought by Indonesian housemaid Sumiati Binti Salan Mustapa against her female employer accusing her of physical abuse. Two months ago the court convicted the woman accused of abusing 23-year-old Mustapa in public action and sentenced her to three years in prison. The ruling was later rejected, however, by the Court of Cassation which recommended private legal action. According to sources, Mustapa is expected to appeal the ruling, which was reached after eight hearings and with the plaintiff and defendant and their lawyers, representatives from the Indonesian consulate, and a translator in attendance. A daughter of the defendant said afterwards that the ruling proved her mother's innocence and said Mustapa inflicted her wounds on herself. “A conspiracy led to my mother being jailed for about five months until she was released two weeks ago,” she said. Asked if her family intends to sue the maid or the Indonesian embassy, she said: “My mother and the lawyer are making arrangements to that end.” The case received worldwide attention after Mustapa was admitted to hospital last year with broken bones and burns to her face and body.
