After being deported to her homeland, the Saudi Arabian Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun, who fled her family, arrived in Canada. Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland personally picked up the young woman on Saturday morning (local time) at the Toronto airport, photos show.
Canada had previously offered asylum to the 18-year-old - which should put additional strain on the already tense relationship between Canada and the ultra-conservative kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The United Nations refugee agency UNHCR welcomed al-Qunun's arrival via Twitter and thanked Canada for providing "protection and a long-term way out" to Canada.
"It is a pleasure for me to welcome a very brave new Canadian to her new home this morning," said Freeland to Canadian Broadcasting CBC. Al-Qunun initially did not comment.
"After the long journey, of course, she was very tired and wanted to rest, but she wanted the Canadians to see that she was here, that she was fine and that she was very happy to be in her new home - even though she mentioned the cold to me, I told her that it would get warmer again soon, "said Minister Freeland.
Fall caused a sensation worldwide
Al-Qunun was stranded in Bangkok last weekend after she broke away from her family during a visit to Kuwait. She claims to have been mistreated and threatened with death.
The Thai authorities initially wanted to send them back, but then renounced it. With an unprecedented campaign on the short message service Twitter, she managed to prevent this. Her case caused a sensation worldwide.
The United Nations has recognized the young woman as a refugee - and took this opportunity to recall the fate of many others who fail to flee for political, economic or other reasons.
In the meantime, the Saudi Arabian has also re-activated her Twitter account, which she had meanwhile turned off after insults and threats. Newer photos show how she sits on the plane. In her hand she holds her Saudi Arabian passport.
"Thank you for supporting me"
Actually, al-Qunun wanted to Australia. On the way there, she landed on Saturday last week in Bangkok, where they denied the authorities at the request of Saudi Arabia initially, however, the onward journey.
It was initially unclear why she had not gone to Australia for asylum. The local authorities had already begun the examination of whether they could get a visa for humanitarian reasons. Thai immigration police chief Surachate Hakparn said in Bangkok, "It was her own desire to go to Canada, and the matter is over for Thailand."
The 18-year-old thanked on Twitter for support. "Thank you for supporting me and saving my life," she wrote. "Honestly, I never dreamed of this love and support, you are the spark that motivates me to become a better person."
Saudi Arabia and Canada in the clinch
The case puts a new strain on the already tense relationship between Canada and Saudi Arabia. Canada's Foreign Minister Freeland made a tweet critical of the arrest of human rights activists in the ultra-conservative kingdom last year.
Riad reacted indignantly and took a series of countermeasures. Among other things, Saudi Arabia rejected the Canadian ambassador and withdrew his ambassador from Ottawa. Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has remained tough in the diplomatic crisis.
Freeland criticized, among other things, the arrest of Samar Badawi, sister of the also imprisoned Saudi Arabian blogger Raif Badawi. His wife Ensaf Haidar also lives in Canada with her three children. They have also obtained the citizenship of the country. Raif Badawi had been sentenced to a thousand lashes and 10 years in prison in Saudi Arabia.
UN Refugee Commissioner Filippo Grandi said that al-Qunun's case illustrates the difficult situations in which refugees often find themselves. Unfortunately, only a fraction of the 25.4 million refugees worldwide have the prospect of finding shelter in a safe country.