An Indonesian woman convicted of murder in Saudi Arabia has been spared death by decapitation after a family fundraising effort and her home government came up with what is essentially the blood money demanded by the victim’s family to call off the ax. 

“We have agreed to fulfill the family’s demands,” said Indonesian Security Minister Djoko Suyanto, “This will help to save Satinah from the death penalty.”

41-year old woman Satinah Binti Jumadi Ahmad had been found guilty seven years ago of murdering her employer, striking her female boss because she says she had been treated badly and physically abused.  Satinah fled with some money but was caught, tried, and convicted.

The family initially demanded 15 Million Saudi Riyals (A$4.3 Million) to stop the execution from going ahead, which is part of Saudi Arabia’s interpretation of Sharia Law.  They dropped their price to A$2.1 Million, but even after a massive fundraising drive across Indonesia, Satinah’s family came up short.  That’s when Jakarta stepped in.

Some in Indonesia do not believe public money should be used to spare someone convicted of murder.  But the Indonesian government has fought a long battle to save Satinah.  And Jakarta put a moratorium on sending women to works as maids for wealthy Saudis after the 2011 beheading of another Indonesian domestic worker, who was also found guilty of murder in a Sharia court.