Saudi hammers 23 nails into Sri Lankan maid's body

A maid from Sri Lanka was being treated in hospital after her employer in Saudi Arabia allegedly hammered 23 nails into her body, Arab News daily reported Wednesday.

"I had to work continuously since I had to do the chores of all the occupants and when I wanted to take rest due to tiredness, they inserted the nail in my body as a punishment," the 50-year-old woman told a Sri Lankan television station.

The woman, who has returned to Colombo, said she was overworked, threatened with death, and beaten.

The Sri Lankan embassy in Riyadh said it was looking into the case.