After Rehab Al-Zahrani escaped from her first marriage due to an intolerable life with her husband, she entered into an even harsher experience, meeting a painful end that shocked Saudi society. In the latest developments of this tragedy that moved the feelings of Saudis, Majid Al-Zahrani, the victim's cousin, revealed to Al-Arabiya.net that security authorities managed to arrest the perpetrator after he burned her with acid.
Majid explained, "Rehab was 28 years old and had a daughter from her first marriage, which only lasted a year. She then entered into a second marriage that lasted only for 10 months."
The reason for their conflict stemmed from the husband’s lack of employment, as he asked her to apply for a loan. When she refused, he assaulted her, prompting her to go with her mother to the authorities to report him, and the case ended with a reconciliation.
Regarding the acid attack, Majid confirmed that the perpetrator entered Rehab's house the following day to pour acid on her face, body, and her daughter's body, emphasizing that the events are beyond imagination, with her writhing in pain from the burns. Neighbors reported the incident, which led to Rehab's death and the transport of her daughter to the hospital in a very critical condition; she needs to be transferred to Al-Noor Hospital in Mecca for reconstructive treatment.
In her first press statements, the victim’s mother, Rehab Al-Zahrani, stated, "My daughter's husband poured acid on the neighbors and on everyone who tried to save my daughter and granddaughter." She also confirmed that "Rehab's features changed due to the burns and investigations are ongoing to analyze her body." Furthermore, she mentioned that the victim’s husband constantly pressured her to procure a loan of 400,000 riyals.
During the horrific crime, the mother of the deceased indicated that Rehab contacted her while she was in agony, urging her to take care of her daughter, repeatedly saying, "My husband killed me, and my daughter is a trust upon you."
She added that her daughter often expressed feeling unsafe with him and had officially reported his death threats against her to the authorities. The mother concluded by stating that "Rehab worked at a cosmetics company to support her daughter from her previous husband, with whom she had custody, and lived an unsafe life with her treacherous husband."
In addition, social media platforms reacted to the hashtag #Rehab calling for mercy and forgiveness for her, demanding the maximum penalty for the husband.
