Faith Swap

An Indonesian woman accused of ordering the murder of her wealthy Australian husband is claiming to be of another religion in order to obtain her inheritance.

Noor Ellis is facing charges carrying the death penalty after allegedly paying her maid’s boyfriend to kill Robert Ellis.  The wealthy businessman’s body was found in a Bali rice field last October.  Noor told police that her husband had neglected her and was denying her money she was entitled to. 

The lawyer for their two sons says even as Noor faces the death penalty, she is making moves to protect her inheritance.  Noor is now stating her religion is Hindu, even though official documents say she is Muslim.  Under family law, which closely follows religious custom in Indonesia, if a Muslim woman is convicted of her husband’s murder, she loses her rights to any inheritance.  “As soon as the court states Noor is guilty of killing her husband, we will take legal measures that will ensure Noor will not get even the smallest bit of Bob’s fortune,” says the lawyer. 

See Gabrielle Dunlevy, Bali Woman ‘Swaps Faith’ for Inheritance, Yahoo News, March 18, 2015.