Asia/South Asia
5 years ago

Saudi teen Rahaf arrives in Canada with asylum

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A Saudi teenager who fled her family and got stranded at a Bangkok airport has arrived in Canada after being granted asylum there.

Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun, 18, had been trying to reach Australia via Bangkok but was initially told to return to Kuwait, where her family were waiting.

She refused to fly back and barricaded herself into her airport hotel room, attracting international attention.

She said she had renounced Islam, which is punishable by death in Saudi Arabia, reports BBC.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters that his country had granted a request from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to give her asylum.

"Canada has been unequivocal that we will always stand up for human rights and women's rights around the world," he said.

She arrived in Pearson International Airport on a Korean Air flight from Seoul on Saturday.

She had tweeted photos that appeared to show her aboard the jet just before take-off, with the words, "I did it!"

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