If murder isn't horrible enough, doing it in front of your kids might make it so.
Residents of Jizan governorate's Bish city woke up to the horrifying news of a homicide that had taken place on Wednesday night in a public park near the area. A husband killed his wife while his distraught children stood as witnesses, then drove them back home.
As the youngsters were traumatized by the accident, they reached home crying, drawing the attention of relatives who questioned them about their emotional state. The family members soon realized a murder had taken place, prompting them to call the police.
The man was arrested after the body was found. He initially denied any wrongdoing, but later confessed and reenacted the horrifying crime.
According to Okaz, the victim married the defendant five years ago and was his second wife. The 40-year-old murderer is a father to 13 children from his two marriages.
News of the horrific crime sent shockwaves through Saudi Twitter and left people terrified.
Some only cared to know the reasons behind the murder
"God is responsible for him. We don't know the reasons???"
"So you really think there's a reason that justifies what he did??"
The crime left many terrified
"Just read the news and I am terrified."
"This is because men think they're better than women"
"Men are always hearing these words, which reinforces the idea of this aggressive incitement against women."
"They should check his mental health and medical history"
"May she rest in peace"
Domestic violence continues to be underreported in the kingdom
Domestic abuse >continues to be underreported in the kingdom. Victims who live with families who normalize gender-based violence are often forced to remain silent about what they endure.
In some cases, victims >lose their lives as a result of abuse and beatings before their cases are reported or made public.
Earlier this year, a two-month old marriage ended >in tragedy in the country's Al Lith governorate after a husband beat and tortured his wife to death.
Last year, a Saudi man >shot and killed his wife after a domestic dispute ensured between the two.
Many have >long criticized the country's >legal system when it comes to this issue in specific. They've accused it of cultivating a misogynistic environment and further encouraging violence and discrimination against women.
Victims of abuse who've come forth in recent years did so thanks to positive changes that were made in the kingdom in a bid to tackle the issue.
The country criminalized domestic violence in 2013 following an organized media campaign. In 2016, it set up a domestic violence reporting center. In its first three days, the center received 1,890 domestic >violence reports.