ADVERTISEMENT

Canada hired a bodyguard for the Saudi teen refugee who fled her family, because she got so many death threats

Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun canada
  • Canada has enlisted private security for the Saudi teen who escaped her family and started a new life in Toronto.
  • Her escape prompted Saudis to send her death threats on Twitter, accusing her of betraying her family and her religion, Islam, which she has renounced.
  • Government contractor COSTI is helping Rahaf Mohammed (who changed her name from Rahaf al-Qunun) to settle into her new life in Canada, their director said on Tuesday.
  • Canada accepted Mohammed on Friday after t he UN ruled her a refugee on January 7. The story of her wild escape and hotel barricade went viral on Twitter, prompting UN intervention.

Canada has hired a private bodyguard to protect a Saudi teen refugee who fled her family, after she was sent death threats on Twitter.

ADVERTISEMENT

Rahaf Mohammed was granted asylum in Canada on Friday after the UN ruled she was refugee . The ruling came after she escaped from Saudi Arabia to Thailand, and went viral by documenting attempts to deport her on Twitter.

Mohammed was previously known as Rahaf al-Qunun. But after arriving in Canada, she dropped her old family name and will use the name Rahaf Mohammed instead.

ADVERTISEMENT

Canadian government contractor COSTI is assisting Mohammed adapt to her new life. Its director, Mario Calla, said it has given her security due to "multiple threats received on social media," at a press conference on Tuesday.

Phil Robertson, the deputy Asia director for Human Rights Watch, tweeted that Mohammed had suspended her Twitter on January 10 because of death threats, and Mohammed's friend Nourah al-Harbi tweeted the same.

The threats are visible on Twitter, and have been noted by INSIDER while reporting on Mohammed's case. Most of them are written in Arabic and suggest she has disgraced her family and Islam, which she said she had renounced.

After Mohammed arrived in Canada on Friday her family disowned her .

ADVERTISEMENT

On Tuesday, Calla said Canada was now "concerned about her security" and hired "professional security" to "make sure she never is alone."

Calla added that Mohammed "sees the risks" of being a refugee and "yes, she was feeling unsafe."

Mohammed is classified as a "government-assisted refugee" so she'll get temporary housing and financial support for up to 12 months, Calla said.

She will also get English classes, and be taught about her new rights in Canada, Calla said.

ADVERTISEMENT

He announced COSTI is looking for a permanent family to live with Mohammed, which would make her more secure.

Just before Calla spoke to the crowded news conference in Toronto, Mohammed read a statement in Arabic saying how happy she was to be safe, explaining why she left Saudi Arabia, and what her plans are for the future.

FOLLOW BUSINESS INSIDER AFRICA

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Recommended articles

Detained Binance executives sue Nigerian authorities for human right violation

Detained Binance executives sue Nigerian authorities for human right violation

Nigeria's central bank increases minimum capital base for banks

Nigeria's central bank increases minimum capital base for banks

Sony’s creators convention redefines the creative landscape for content creators

Sony’s creators convention redefines the creative landscape for content creators

Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa ranked as Africa's most polluted countries in new report

Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa ranked as Africa's most polluted countries in new report

10 African countries with the lowest life expectancy according to the World Bank

10 African countries with the lowest life expectancy according to the World Bank

Kenyan women are more obese than their men - here’s why

Kenyan women are more obese than their men - here’s why

Africa’s richest man Dangote stands between Europe and $17 billion in revenue

Africa’s richest man Dangote stands between Europe and $17 billion in revenue

After months of exchanging blows, Kenya and Uganda takes steps towards resolution

After months of exchanging blows, Kenya and Uganda takes steps towards resolution

Africa's first black billionaire could join $2.9 billion Vivendi bid for MultiChoice

Africa's first black billionaire could join $2.9 billion Vivendi bid for MultiChoice

ADVERTISEMENT