A north-east mum jailed in the Middle East after being accused of adultery has been granted a “quickie” divorce from her husband.
Hannah James was arrested by police in Bahrain after her husband accused her of having an affair, and beat her up.
The 26-year-old was jailed for a month until the father of her young son, Jassim Alhaddar, “forgave” her and the charges were dropped late last week.
She is now waiting to fly back to the UK to be reunited with her family.
It is unknown if her son, four year old Nelson, will accompany her.
A spokesman for the Bahrain authorities yesterday confirmed Ms James, originally from Fraserburgh, is free to go as soon as she resolves her passport issues.
He said she and Alhaddar – who admitted assaulting his wife but insisted it was in self-defence – had agreed to divorce.
Ms James’ own mother, Shelley, had alleged that Mr Alhaddar had destroyed his wife’s passport over fears that she would leave the country.
She also circulated images of her daughter covered in bruises across social media.
“On January 5, 2017, the complainant withdrew the complaint and the wife was released. All charges of adultery were dropped,” the spokesman said.
“That same day, a complaint was submitted to the police containing the allegation made by the wife’s mother to the British
Embassy that her daughter has been physically assaulted by her daughter’s husband and that she has been detained.
“The daughter went to the station and denied the allegation made against her husband in the statement she gave to the police.
“She contacted her mother and informed her she was in good health and is not facing problems with her husband.
“She also added that all the issues have been settled and the two have agreed to divorce and that she would return to the United Kingdom.”
The government official added that medical examinations carried out on Ms James during her time in custody did not suggest she was being mistreated.
He said: “It has been stated in police records that the husband has handed his wife her passport prior to the incident of its loss.
“However, she is free to depart as soon as that issue is resolved with the British authorities.”
Last night, the James family, who now live in England, could not be reached for comment.