Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun: Saudi teen who fled fearing for her life granted asylum by Canada

Canada has granted asylum to a Saudi teenager who fled to Thailand because she feared her family would kill her.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed his country would be taking in Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun.

Earlier a Thai immigration official told news agency Reuters that the 18-year-old would be heading to Canada on Friday (January 11) evening.

Her case came to attention this week when she barricaded herself in a Bangkok airport hotel room to resist being sent home to Saudi Arabia. She was then allowed to enter Thailand and processed as a refugee.

Qunun has accused her family of abuse, a charge they deny.


Her case has drawn attention to Saudi Arabia's strict societal rules, including one that obliges women to have the permission of a male guardian to travel.