ABU DHABI // A teenage girl who ran away from home has been charged with collusion to commit sin after being found with a group of two men and two boys.
In a private hearing at the Criminal Court of First Instance today, WA, a 13-year-old from Bengal, said she ran away on February 23 to the apartment of MS, a Pakistani, because she had been experiencing problems in her relationship with her father. While at the apartment she spent time in the company of three mutual friends: AS and WF, both from Pakistan, and MR, from Bengal.
She spent one night at the apartment, but said no sexual intercourse had taken place despite MS kissing her neck. She and WF then spent the following night in WF's car, where again the girl said there was no sexual contact.
The girl's father reported her missing after finding a note from her saying she had fled because of problems with her stepmother. Police then arrested the group on charges of 'beautifying the sin', in addition to an 'absence from home' charge for WA. The ages of the other four defendants were listed as 14, 16, 18 and 24, though it was unclear which age belonged to which defendant.
After the hearing WA and her father were seen hugging tightly as they sat inside the courtroom.
No date was given for the next hearing.
hdajani@thenational.ae
