Saudi Arabia gripped by Johnny Depp and Amber Heard trial as verdict nears

Young women say Depp's lawyer, internet sensation Camille Vasquez, has inspired them to study law

The fate of actors Johnny Depp and Amber Heard is now in the hands of jurors. AP

Heard's lawyer Benjamin Rottenborn told jurors in closing arguments that if they believe Depp abused his ex-wife, physically or mentally, 'Amber wins'. AP

Depp on a break in between closing arguments. Getty Images / AFP

Depp breaks during closing arguments in the defamation trial he brought against his ex-wife. Getty Images / AFP

Depp takes a break with Beechy Colclough. Getty Images / AFP

Depp waves to screaming fans on a break. Getty Images / AFP

Throngs of Depp's fans have gathered outside the Fairfax County Courthouse throughout the six-week trial. Getty Images / AFP

One morning, Depp said that he would make all his fans pancakes for breakfast. Getty Images / AFP

Heard’s lawyer Benjamin Rottenborn encouraged jurors to read her 'Washington Post' op-ed again. AFP

Heard speaks with her legal team in the courtroom. AFP

Depp leaves the courtroom during a break. AFP

Depp's lawyer Benjamin Chew gives closing arguments. AFP

Spectators listen to Mr Chew give his closing arguments. EPA

For six weeks, the gallery has been packed with Depp fans. EPA

Depp listens as his lawyer gives closing arguments. Reuters

Depp's lawyer Camille Vasquez gives closing arguments. AFP

Heard leaves during a break in the trial. AFP

Heard’s lawyer Elaine Bredehoft speaks during closing arguments. AFP

Heard speaks with her legal team. AFP

Depp smirked and raised his eyebrows through much of the closing arguments. Reuters

Households across Saudi Arabia have been gripped by live coverage of Johnny Depp's defamation case against his ex-wife Amber Heard and her countersuit against the Pirates of the Caribbean star as the trial draws to a close.

From people watching videos in the background at work to family meals being dominated by conversations about domestic abuse, the ins and outs of the case have been a national conversation.

Some young women have even said that Depp's attorney Camille Vasquez has inspired them to pursue a career in law.

The trial has struck a nerve at a time when Saudi Arabia is rapidly changing as the government works to improve women's rights and offer increasing legal parity between men and women. More women are entering the workforce and traditional gender roles are changing.

One Saudi mother living in Jeddah, Amani Tayeb, said: "We've had major heated debates at home about what we see going on during the trial ... during and after every session."

She said like many households in the kingdom, they gather as a family most nights to watch the case.

"From my nieces who are 16 to my dad who is 62, we assemble in the living room and stream it live on YouTube," she said.

She said she thought the trial had helped men and women come forward to share stories and viewpoints that they may not have done before.

"One tends to side with women immediately when we hear the words 'domestic violence' but abuse has no gender," she said. "The truth is many men suffer abuse daily and we barely ever hear their stories. I think the Johnny Depp trial is an interesting case because it makes us stop and think about the other side, for the first time since the op-ed [Heard's published newspaper piece] came out."

Many people in the kingdom have been closely following the six-week-long trial and are keen to find out the jury's verdict when it is delivered.

Noran Amin, a Saudi film student in the Eastern Province, said: "I watch it at work and send my team updates.

"The trial has sparked interest not just in but out of the courtroom. I was at the clinic the other day and we were all watching it in the waiting room. It's the OJ [Simpson] trial of our times, except this time it's not just viewers in the US but it got our attention too," she said in reference to the millions who watched the 1994 trial of ex-American footballer OJ Simpson after the fatal stabbing of ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman. Simpson was acquitted of murder.

"I can't wait for the jury to give its verdict, my friends and I will be watching it together," said Ms Amin. "We've made sure to find a place and time devoted solely to this."

Camille Vasquez, 37, a lawyer with Brown Rudnick, has made a strong impression on young women and sparked an interest in studying law.

Ms Vasquez became an internet sensation after footage of her cross-examining Heard went viral.

Tala AlHamadi, a Saudi teacher in Jeddah, said: "She is inspiring because she's brilliant, professional and unafraid to defend the truth. She's inspired me and my friends to search for universities here and abroad, to study law. My friends who are working are also considering taking a gap year to study law."

Depp, 58, sued actress Heard for $50 million, claiming she defamed him when she called herself "a public figure representing domestic abuse" in an opinion piece she wrote for The Washington Post.

Heard, 36, countersued for $100m, saying Depp smeared her reputation when his lawyer called her accusations "a hoax".

Jurors are set to meet on Tuesday to continue deliberating the verdict.