US Prepares to deliver weapons to Country that Sentences Six to Lose Hands, Feet in unfair trials

After Unfair Trials, Saudi Arabia Court Sentences Six to Lose Hands, Feet
December 16, 2011 – HRW – Christoph Wilcke

Cutting off someone’s hands and feet is torture, plain and simple. Judicially sanctioned torture is abhorrent, and this verdict, if confirmed, would bespeak a state policy of torture.

(Beirut) – The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia should void a sentence to amputate the hands and feet of six stateless people convicted of armed robbery, Human Rights Watch said today in a letter to the Saudi Human Rights Commission. The sentence constitutes internationally prohibited torture.

Human Rights Watch urged the Saudi Human Rights Commission to press for a retrial and a voiding of the sentence.

“Cutting off someone’s hands and feet is torture, plain and simple,” said Christoph Wilcke, senior Middle East researcher at Human Rights Watch. “Judicially sanctioned torture is abhorrent, and this verdict, if confirmed, would bespeak a state policy of torture.” The family of ‘Amir ‘Iyada, one of those convicted, learned in early December, 2011, that the Court of Cassation had confirmed the verdict of amputation issued by Riyadh’s General Court in January. The Supreme Court, which has not yet reviewed the case, provides the final judicial review. Under Saudi law, the king may not grant a pardon to cases of hiraba, or armed robbery, considered a crime against God under Saudi interpretation of Sharia law.

Judge Abd al-‘Aziz Al al-Shaikh of Riyadh’s General Court tried ‘Iyada and his co-defendants in only two court sessions, each lasting less than one hour, and prohibited them from appointing lawyers to assist them in their defense, ‘Iyada told Human Rights Watch. ‘Iyada’s family-appointed lawyer prepared his written appeal, but was not allowed to meet with his client, attend court sessions, or see documents except for the public verdict. …more