Author:
Publication: World Tribune.Com
Date: February 3, 2003
URL: http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/flash_5.html
Saudi Arabia has sentenced a Yemeni
national to death after he refused to wake up for prayers and denounced
Islam and the Saudi religious police.
A Saudi court in Jedda sentenced
the Yemeni national to death on Jan. 7.
Saudi newspapers said Hail Al Masri
was originally sentenced to two years imprisonment and 600 lashes. But
a higher court headed by Ali Al Zahrani rejected the sentence and ruled
that Al Masri should be beheaded.
The reports said Al Masri tried
to jump from the third floor where the courtroom was located after the
death sentence was read. Al Masri was seriously injured in the fall and
taken to a local hospital.
Al Masri was charged with refusing
the appeals of his roommate to wake up for early morning prayers. When
the roommate insisted, Al Masri began cursing him, Islam and Saudi religious
police.
The roommate complained to authorities
and Al Masri was arrested. Other university students testified that Al
Masri also slapped his roommate.
The Washington-based Saudi Institute
said Saudi Arabia has not formally announced the death sentence. The opposition
group said a Saudi reporter who covered the court proceedings refused to
speak with the institute in fear of government reprisal.
The institute called on the United
States to pressure Saudi Arabia to commute Al Masri's death sentence. The
group urged for appeals to be sent to former President Jimmy Carter, winner
of Noble Prize and a friend of Saudi King Fahd.
The appeal came as Saudi Crown Prince
Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz began a dialogue with intellectuals over the prospect
of democratic reforms. They included a proposal to elect the current Shura
Council, which examines domestic issues and issues recommendations for
legislation.
