From correspondents in Middle East, 09:02 PM IST

A Saudi court sentenced a 20-year-old Saudi woman to 6 months in prison at a foster house for girls for running away from her family, Saudi al-Watan newspaper reported Sunday.

The woman - who said she ran away due to the pressures she was facing at home - will also receive 60 lashes as punishment for the same offence, al-Watan added.

In Saudi Arabia, a responsible male guardian - either a close relative or her husband, must accompany every woman.

Meanwhile, Saudi Interior Ministry announced Sunday a Saudi man was executed by decapitation for killing an Ethiopian man to steal his money.

This year 21 Saudis have been sentenced to death so far. Saudi Arabia sentences to death people charged with drug smuggling, murder, rape, armed robbery and apostasy from Islam.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)