Does a divorce take effect if the husband says "You are divorced" into the air, without directing it at his wife, knowing that it was said under duress from the wife?

If a husband says to his wife, "You are divorced," but intends another meaning by it other than divorce, it is accepted from him religiously (between him and Allah), but it is not accepted judicially (before a court); because the judiciary rules by outward appearances. If you trust your husband's sincerity, do not take the matter to court. Otherwise, prosecution is preferable. A woman is not permitted to seek divorce except for a legitimate excuse.