Saudi sisters refused visas to stay in Australia

The Saudi sisters found dead in their beds in their Sydney apartment applied – and were rejected – for permanent protection visas.

Amaal Alsehli, 23, left, and her sister Asra, 24, were refused protection visas based on their sexuality and religious beliefs, claiming they would have been persecuted in Saudi Arabia

The Saudi sisters found dead in their beds in their Sydney apartment applied – and were rejected – for permanent protection visas.

A source familiar with their ­application said one of the sisters, understood to be 23-year-old Amaal Abdullah Alsehli, applied for the visa on the basis she was a lesbian but was denied it because she could not describe the gay events she went to in Sydney in sufficient detail.

According to the source, the other sister, 24-year-old Asra Abdullah Alsehli, applied on the grounds that she was an ­atheist, but was unable to provide ­sufficient evidence to support the application.

There was a further claim that one of the sisters was escaping a forced marriage.

The women, whose deaths have perplexed authorities, could have been dead for up to six weeks before their fully clothed bodies were discovered by their landlord’s representative in June.

It is understood their bodies were found in an advanced state of decomposition.

The sisters applied for the subclass 866 protection visa, which is for individuals who arrived in Australia on a valid visa and are seeking asylum, as long as certain requirements are met.

Individuals who have a “well-founded fear of persecution” who are unable or unwilling to return to their home country are eligible for the visa.

The revelations come as The Guardian reported that the sisters ­had attended a “girls-only queer event” in January.

It was reported that they told other attendees that gay women “live in fear” in Saudi Arabia.

Same-sex activity is illegal in Saudi Arabia, and all those in the LGBTQI+ community are severely ­repressed in the strict ­Islamic ­nation.

Those practising homo­sexuality and cross-dressing can face the death penalty, torture, beatings and life imprisonment.

The Department of Home Affairs would not comment on the women when contacted, citing privacy reasons.

The apartment in Canterbury, Sydney, where the bodies of Asra and Amaal were found. Picture: Gaye Gerard

“The government remains committed to the Humanitarian Program as an expression of Australia’s role as an engaged international partner in sharing refugee protection responsibilities and assisting those in greatest humanitarian need,” a spokesperson said.

Australia has 13,750 places available in the 2022-23 Humanitarian Program, which is aimed at resettling refugees and others in humanitarian need.

Despite the high-profile media coverage and public appeal, police say they know little about the duo.

“There is no indication of anyone else being in the unit … no forced entry. It really does appear to be a tragic suicide,” a senior police source told The Daily Telegraph newspaper last week.

It has since been revealed that non-perishable food items, a bottle of bleach and clothing were found in the bedrooms of their Canterbury apartment.

A computer was found and has been taken for forensic testing.

In 2019, an apprehended violence order was applied for by police on behalf of Asra against a man who told reporters he had a “small fight” with her. The matter was withdrawn and dismissed following one court hearing.

After their death, their apartment was listed for rent for $540 a week, before being dropped to $520 a week – which is still a $40 increase since the women rented the property in mid-2020.

A disclaimer on the listing discloses their deaths.

“This property has found two deceased persons … a crime scene has been established and it is still under police investigation,” the disclaimer states. “According to the police, this is not a random crime and will not be a potential risk for the ­community.”

The listing also states that hybrid timber flooring was “newly installed” in both bedrooms.