The Summary Court in Khamis Mushayt has referred the case of journalist Hayat Al-Ghamdi to the Supreme Judiciary Council. The journalist is facing charges of publishing an “erroneous” article against Hamad Al-Ruzain, a General Court judge. The lawsuit brought by the judge against the journalist also says that the published article has not only tarnished his image but has also targeted the Saudi judiciary. The judge claims that the journalist and the newspaper “distorted his statement on permitting husbands to beat their wives if they spend lavishly on unneeded things.” Reconciliation efforts, started at the beginning of the summer, have since been discontinued. The judge had reportedly offered to drop the lawsuit if the newspaper offered an apology. Hayat Al-Ghamdi said the newspaper is defending her and had hired five lawyers to plead her case.
