UN experts urge Saudi Arabia to halt executions on spying, spreading Shia faith charges
GENEVA (15 March 2018) – UN experts* have expressed concern over the imminent execution in Saudi Arabia of a man
convicted of spying for Iran, financing terrorism and spreading the Shia faith, and called on the Government to annul
the death sentence.
The experts also called on Saudi authorities to halt the executions of 14 others charged with spying for Iran.
Abbas Haiji A. Al-Hassan and the 14 others were sentenced in December 2016 by the Specialized Criminal Court in Riyadh.
The death sentences were upheld by further court rulings in July and December 2017. The case of Mr. Al-Hassan was later
transferred to the Presidency of State Security. His sentence is currently subject to ratification by the King.
“We are concerned that these individuals were subjected to torture during their interrogation to obtain confessions and
that the death sentences may be based on evidence obtained under these conditions,” the experts said.
“We are further concerned about the physical and mental integrity of the 15 individuals following allegations of torture
and about the subsequent denial of adequate medical attention by prison authorities.”
According to reports, the 15 individuals have been held in incommunicado detention for up to three months, their defence
lawyers were not given access to evidence and had insufficient time to prepare their defence.
“The individuals should be retried under conditions where fair trial and due process guarantees are met,” the experts
said.
Furthermore, the experts added, the death sentences were for offences that did not appear to meet the threshold of ‘most
serious crimes’ as required by international law for offences carrying capital punishment.
The experts called on the Government to establish a moratorium on the death penalty, and consider its complete
abolition.
ENDS