Rizana Nafeek, Sri Lankan Nanny, Beheaded in Saudi Arabia for Death of an Infant

Rizana Nafeek, a Sri Lanka national was beheaded in Saudi Arabia for the death of an infant in her care when she was 17-years-old, announced the Saudi Interior Ministry  — according to UPI. 

"Saudi Arabia is one of just three countries that executes people for crimes they committed as children," protested Nisha Varia, Human Rights Watch senior women's rights researcher. "Rizana Nafeek is yet another victim of the deep flaws in Saudi Arabia's judicial system," she added. 

According to UPI, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa appealed to Saudi King Abdullah on Sunday to stop the execution, in the hopes to reach a settlement between the baby's family and a Saudi reconciliation committee. But Saudi Arabia refused the petition, issuing instead instructions for Nafeek's execution. 

Nafeek worked in Saudi Arabia for two weeks in 2005 when the family's 4-month-old baby died while in her care. She had initially plead guilty, a confession she later retracted claiming it was made under "duress."

The nanny, who had been in prison since 2005, later claimed the baby "choked to death" while drinking from a bottle.