Saudi man murders wife after domestic dispute, admits to crime

The case of a Saudi man who shot and killed his wife sent shockwaves on Saudi social media earlier this week. 

The incident took place in the kingdom's Al Shargiya area on Wednesday and saw the husband use a hunting gun to murder his wife following a domestic dispute. 

In a statement on the matter, official spokesman for Al Shargiya's police department, General Ziad Al Ruqaiti, said: 

"The defendant called the police department at four in the morning on Wednesday and reported his crime." 

The spokesman added that the husband was immediately arrested by authorities and has now been referred to public prosecution. 

"What kind of world are we living in?"

"May God have mercy on her soul and may she rest in heaven." 

"It's less than ordinary for these things to keep happening, women's lives are of no value as long as they continue to live under the kingdom's male guardianship system. Ending this system will end what remains of human slavery."  

Domestic abuse cases are widespread in Saudi Arabia, and for some women, physical abuse can often lead to murder. 

Even though the issue is common, it continues to be underreported because many victims live with families who normalize gender-based violence and this often forces victims to remain silent about what they endure.

However, those who have come forth in recent years did so because of positive changes the kingdom has made in a bid to tackle the issue.

Saudi Arabia criminalized domestic violence in 2013 following an organized media campaign.

In 2016, the country also set up a domestic violence reporting center. In its first three days, the center received 1,890 domestic violence reports.