LONDON - The family of the Australian nurse allegedly murdered by two British colleagues in Saudi Arabia suggested yesterday that they might relax their demand that the women be beheaded if found guilty. The judges requested on Sunday that Ms Yvonne Gilford's relatives consider alternatives to the death penalty. Under Sharia law a victims family can revoke the penalty and demand blood money instead from those convicted of capital crimes.
Ms Laurel Gilford, sister in law of the dead nurse, said in Jamestown, South Australia, that they wanted the women to be executed if convicted. But her husband Frank said he would discuss alternative punishments with the nurses' lawyers.
Ms Lucille McLauchlan (31), from Dundee, Scotland and Ms Deborah Parry (41), from Hampshire claim they confessed to the killing only because police stripped them and threatened to rape them.