Political Reformers Sentenced

(14 November 2007)

According to Human Rights Watch the Partial Court in Buraida, north of Riyadh, sentenced on 7 November 2007 , two reformers to prison terms under the charge of  violating a security cordon and instigating a public demonstration.

Professor Abdullah al-Hamid and his brother ‘Isa al-Hamid were sentenced to prison terms of four and six months respectively for encouraging a peaceful demonstration .

The incident, which led to the two men’s prosecution, occurred on July 16, when several women whose husbands and relatives had remained in Saudi intelligence prisons for over two years without charge, trial or access to legal counsel staged a peaceful demonstration in front of intelligence offices in Buraida to demand the release or trial of their relatives. 

The charges against them reportedly include incitement to the necessity to punish the two brothers because their actions may lead to acts forbidden in Islam.