‘Jeans journalist’ appears in court

KHARTOUM: Sudanese woman journalist facing 40 lashes for wearing trousers in public made her first appearance in a court packed with supporters on Wednesday, in what her lawyer described as a test case in Sudan’s decency laws.

There were chaotic scenes as Lubna Hussein, who works for the United Nations, attended the hearing wearing the same green slacks that got her arrested for immodest dress. Hussein has attracted attention by publicizing her case, inviting journalists to hearings and using it to campaign against dress codes.

The case was adjourned on Wednesday as lawyers discussed whether her status as a UN employee gave her legal immunity.

After the hearing, defense lawyer Nabil Adib Abdalla said Hussein had agreed to resign from the United Nations in time for the next session on Aug. 4 to make sure the case continued.

“First of all she wants to show she is totally innocent, and using her immunity will not prove that,� Abdalla told reporters. “Second she wants to fight the law. The law is too wide. It needs to be reformed ... This is turning into a test case. Human rights groups will be watching this closely.� He said Hussein was ready to face the maximum penalty for the criminal offense of wearing indecent dress in public which was 40 lashes and an unlimited fine.