Saudi authorities have agreed to retry a Sri Lankan housemaid sentenced to death by stoning for adultery, her country's deputy foreign minister said on Tuesday.
Harsha de Silva told parliament in Colombo the government had secured a fresh trial for the woman after Sri Lankan diplomats visited her in a Saudi jail over the weekend.
"Through our intervention, they (Saudi authorities) have agreed to reopen the case," Mr de Silva told parliament.
"This can be considered a big victory. We will provide her with legal counsel," he added, without elaborating on the grounds for a retrial.
The woman, a 45-year-old married mother of two who has not been named, was convicted of adultery in August.
She was sentenced to death by stoning, while an unmarried Sri Lankan man convicted alongside her was sentenced to 100 lashes. [AFP] Read more
