Stolen Brides (Kidnapping Documentary) | Real Stories

Real Stories34 minutes read

Two British sisters were forced into marriages in Yemen, sparking a rescue mission led by their family with the help of American ex-Commandos, but the operation failed, leaving the family devastated and facing financial scrutiny. Despite challenges, the family continues to seek ways to bring Nardia back to England, with her brother Mo working to reunite her with their mother and siblings after years of separation.

Insights

  • Miriam's unwavering determination and resourcefulness in seeking help from various sources, including the British Embassy and the media, played a pivotal role in rescuing her daughters from forced marriages in Yemen.
  • The failed rescue attempt by American ex-Commandos, costing £185,000, highlights the family's desperation and the risks involved in trying to bring Nardia back from Yemen, ultimately leading to disappointment and financial scrutiny.

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Recent questions

  • How did Zena escape from Yemen?

    By leaving after 8 years, leaving Nardia behind.

  • What prompted Miriam to seek help from the British Embassy?

    Lack of government action and media involvement.

  • How did the family attempt to rescue Nardia from Yemen?

    By hiring American ex-Commandos for a rescue mission.

  • What legal issues did Mothana face regarding the sisters' situation?

    Prosecution for kidnapping and wrongful imprisonment.

  • How did Mo plan to bring Nardia back to England?

    By saving money for tickets and seeking approval from his father and God.

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Summary

00:00

British Sisters Forced into Yemen Marriages Rescued

  • Nardia and Zena Musen, British girls, were sent to a remote Mountain Village in Yemen by their father at ages 14 and 15, where they were forced into marriages.
  • Zena managed to escape after 8 years, leaving her sister Nardia behind in Yemen.
  • The family believed the government failed to help the sisters as British citizens abroad, leading them to hire American EXC commanders for a rescue attempt.
  • Mo, the son, undertook a secret mission to rescue Nardia, willing to do anything to bring his sister home.
  • Miriam and Muthana Musen ran a fish and chip shop in Birmingham, with Zena and Nardia attending the local school.
  • Zena was married off to Abdul Kader in Yemen, where she endured forced intimacy and abuse.
  • Miriam discovered her daughters' marriages through a friend and confronted Muthana, who confirmed the marriages.
  • Miriam moved away with her remaining children, unable to live with Muthana after learning about the marriages.
  • Miriam managed to bring her daughters back home after a three-year struggle, with Mo and compensation money aiding in their return.
  • Miriam, undeterred by obstacles, sought help from the British Embassy to rescue her daughters from their captivity in Yemen.

22:05

Family's struggle to reunite daughters from Yemen.

  • Miriam waited for a year for the government to act on her case, then invited the media to listen to Zena's tape expressing her desire to return to England.
  • The Press visited Mothana, who denied selling his daughters and receiving any money, leading to a public outcry that forced the government to take action.
  • The British Embassy in Yemen arranged for Zena and Nardia, along with their children, to come to England.
  • The British government declared the marriages invalid, allowing the girls to return, but the children belonged to their fathers.
  • Zena returned to Birmingham after 8 years in Yemen, where she faced mixed emotions and challenges, leading her to write a book.
  • Mothana was prosecuted for kidnapping and wrongful imprisonment, but the case was dropped due to lack of evidence.
  • Zena and her mother lost contact with Nardia for four years, but sought ways to bring her back to England, eventually deciding to hire rescuers.
  • They hired American ex-Commandos from Corporate Training Unlimited to rescue Nardia and her children from Yemen, paying a total of £185,000.
  • The rescue operation never happened, leaving the family devastated and questioning the use of the funds, leading to an investigation by the Inland Revenue.
  • Miriam is working to reconcile with Mothana to bring Nardia back home, despite their troubled past and ongoing family feud.

40:38

Secret Plan to Bring Nardia Back

  • Mo has saved money for tickets for Nardia, her husband, and children for a holiday in England, with his father's blessing to take the tickets to Yemen.
  • Mo is confident Nardia will return with him to England after speaking to his father and God, who both approve of the plan.
  • Mo's visit to Yemen must remain secret due to the case's notoriety, and he arranges to meet Nardia in Taz without alerting authorities.
  • Mo speaks to Nardia alone, recording their conversations without her knowledge, discussing her return to England without media or her husband present.
  • Nardia has spent more time in Yemen than in England, returning to her village and losing contact with her family in Birmingham, despite efforts to bring her back for justice and freedom.
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