Friday, April 5, 2013

Saudi Court Unmoved By Pleas For Mercy

Amnesty International has condemned a Saudi court ruling sentencing a man to be paralyzed as retribution for having paralyzed another man as "outrageous." The rights group called the punishment "torture," adding that it "should on no account be carried out."

Ali Al-Khawahir was 14 when he stabbed and paralyzed his best friend 10 years ago.  Al-Khawahir, who has been in prison ever since, has been sentenced to be paralyzed if he cannot come up with one million Saudi Riyals ($266,000) in compensation to be paid to the victim.

"If implemented, the paralysis sentence would contravene the U.N. Convention against Torture to which Saudi Arabia is a state party and the Principles of Medical Ethics adopted by the UN General Assembly," Amnesty International said.

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