Saudi Arabia: Fear of imminent execution: Faisal bin Mutair bin Rajallah al-Luhaibi (m)

PUBLIC AI Index: MDE 23/017/2007

15 May 2007

UA 112/07 Fear of imminent execution

SAUDI ARABIA Faisal bin Mutair bin Rajallah al-Luhaibi (m)

Faisal bin Mutair bin Rajallah al-Luhaibi is at imminent risk of execution.

According to a statement by the Ministry of the Interior, Faisal al-Luhaibi was sentenced to death along with four other men, for the rape and urder of a boy.

The four men were executed on 14 May. The Ministry of the Interior has stated that Faisal al-Luhaibi would be executed upon the completion of judicial procedures. It did not specify what these judicial procedures were, nor did it clarify when they were due to be completed. Amnesty International fears that he could be executed within days.

At least 72 people are known to have been executed thus far this year, though the true figure may be much higher. Among those known to be facing imminent execution is Nigerian national Suliamon Olyfemi, who was sentenced to death in 2005, after an unfair trial (see UA 299/06, MDE 23/005/2006, 23 November 2006,  and follow-ups). 

BACKGROUND INFORMATION 

Saudi Arabia applies the death penalty for a wide range of offences. Court proceedings fall far short of international standards for fair trial, and take place behind closed doors. Defendants are rarely allowed formal representation by a lawyer, and in many cases are not informed of the progress of legal proceedings against them. They may be convicted solely on the basis of confessions obtained under duress, torture or deception.