DHAKA: A Yemeni court released into UN custody a Saudi woman who had crossed the border illegally to elope with a Yemeni man defying tradition in both conservative countries.

In a case reminiscent of Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers Romeo and Juliet, Huda al-Niran, 22, defied her family and crossed the border illegally to be with her Yemeni beloved Arafat Mohammed Tahar, 25.

Niran was arrested in Yemen for illegal entry and placed on trial, amid mounting pressure from her family and Saudi authorities for her to return home.

But she stuck her ground, pleading in court to be able to stay and marry Tahar, and applied for asylum through the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

On Tuesday a Yemeni judge decided to release Niran into the custody of the UNHCR for a period of three months during which she should be able to obtain the refugee status.

A UNHCR representative confirmed to media that Niran had initiated proceedings to be granted refugee status in Yemen, reports TDS.

If she succeeds, she will be able to marry Tahar and therefore remain in Yemen.

BDST: 1949 HRS, NOV 26, 2013