Couple charged with enslaving RI maid

Couple charged with enslaving RI maid

UNITED STATES: Federal and state authorities have accused a Saudi Arabian couple of forcing an Indonesian woman to work in their home for four years while the husband allegedly repeatedly sexually assaulted her.

A federal grand jury indicted Homaidan Al-Turki, 36, and his wife, Sarah Khonaizan, 35, on Thursday on charges of forced labor, harboring an illegal immigrant and unlawfully concealing the woman's passport.

Al-Turki also faces state charges of rape, kidnapping, false imprisonment and extortion. His wife faces state charges of kidnapping, false imprisonment and extortion.

The couple, who were in the country legally, could face up to life in prison if convicted. They were in custody Thursday.

The indictment alleges that the Indonesian woman, who was in her 20s, was required to cook, clean and provide child care for little or no pay.

The woman was controlled by "creation of a climate of fear and intimidation through aggravated sexual abuse and other means, intended to cause (her) to believe that, if she did not continue to perform such labor and services, that she would suffer serious harm," the indictment said.

The woman lived with the couple until November 2004, the indictment said. It was unclear how she left the home. -- AP