Arab News reports that seven members of a family have been arrested in a case involving the death of two Indonesian maids. Two other maids were beaten at the time. While stories about the mental competence of the individual suspected of these acts have surfaced, this story notes that other family members were involved as well. The story seems to have attracted the attention of Saudi media which are carrying on a campaign to improve working conditions and safety for domestic employees.

7 Members of Saudi Family Arrested Over Maids’ Death
Maha Akeel, Arab News

JEDDAH, 21 August 2007 — Security officials investigating the murder of two Indonesian maids and the brutal beating of two others have arrested seven members of a Saudi family.

The Indonesian maids were allegedly attacked by their employers who accused them of practicing black magic on the family’s teenage son, who was also involved in the assault and murders.

Initial reports claimed that the teenager was the only one involved in the attack and that he was mentally unstable.

The two injured maids as well as the two bodies were brought to the Emergency Room of the General Hospital in Aflaj near Riyadh.

Nasser Al-Dandani, the lawyer retained by the Indonesian Embassy, confirmed the brutal incident and said that the embassy was following up on the case with the Saudi authorities.
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