Saudi Arabia Remains Adamant On The Beheading and Crucifixion Of Political Dissident

We previously discussed the truly bizarre scene of having Saudi Arabia sit on the UN Human Rights Council despite being one of the most infamous violators of human rights. As if to remind the world of the crushing irony, Saudi Arabia has issued a statement telling the world that it has no business objecting to the planned execution of a religious dissent. The Saudi Arabian embassy in the UK has denounced “any form of interference in its internal affairs” regarding the case of 21-year-old dissident Ali Mohammed al-Nimr, who has been sentenced to death by beheading for engaging in pro-democracy protests.

Al-Nimr has been sentenced to death by beheading and crucifixion in Saudi Arabia for simply taking part in anti-government protests in 2012. He was just 17. The case is the ultimate expression of the Kingdom’s medieval legal system, often imposing Sharia principles and punishments. Not only is the Kingdom imposing a barbaric sentence but killing a boy because he dared engage in free speech and free thought.

Al-Nimr is the nephew of a prominent Shia cleric and activist. The human rights organisation Reprieve says that Al-Nimr was forced to sign a confession under torture to attacking police, breaking allegiance to the king, setting up terror cells, rioting and robbing a pharmacy. The Sharia judge sentenced him to first beheaded and then his body crucified in public.