Local News

Months before Muna Hawatmeh was allegedly beaten and kidnapped by four family members who planned to take her back to their native country of Jordan, she feared her brothers might kill her because she is a lesbian, Hawatmeh´s lover testified last week, reports The Salt Lake Tribune.

At a hearing for the family members, who are charged with assault and kidnapping, Leticia Rivera said she and Hawatmeh had used the Internet to research the Middle Eastern practice of "honor killing," in which women who have premarital sex are slain by male relatives to preserve family honor., the Tribune said.

Despite Hawatmeh´s apparent fear, and protective orders filed against Hawatmeh´s brothers, she returned to her family´s home the night of the alleged beating. Defense attorneys say Hawatmeh´s return shows she did not really fear her family, and supports their claim that she has falsely accused them of kidnapping and assault.

Family members contend Hawatmeh has been "unstable, confused, depressed" and, at one time, suicidal. They also accuse Rivera of making all Hawatmeh´s decisions for her; something Rivera denies., the paper said.

Muna Hawatmeh came to America about four years ago. Her brothers have been in this country for 15 years. Hawatmeh and Rivera are now living outside Utah, the paper reported.