EXTERNAL (for general distribution)AI Index: MDE 23/04/91

Distr: UA/SC

6 December 1991

Further information on UA 333/91 (MDE 23/03/91, 10 October 1991) - Fear of Torture/Execution

SAUDI ARABIA:Muhammad al-Fasi

Muhammad al-Fasi, a Saudi Arabian businessman, was arrested in Amman, Jordan on 2 October 1991 by Jordanian security forces and was subsequently handed over to Saudi Arabian authorities. He was reportedly detained because of his criticism of the Saudi Arabian Government during the Gulf war.

Amnesty International has recently received reports that Muhammad al-Fasi, who continues to be held in a secret location in Riyadh, has been subjected to beatings all over his body and to falaqa (beatings on the soles of the feet). As a result, his right hand is said to have been fractured. Muhammad al-Fasi has also reportedly been shackled throughout his detention and blindfolded for extended periods. He has reportedly been forced to sign confessions and to read out these confessions while being filmed with a video camera.

At this stage, Amnesty International cannot confirm these specific allegations of torture. However, they are consistent in their detail with reliable reports received by the organization in recent years about the torture and ill-treatment of political detainees, which remains a common practice in Saudi Arabia. Amnesty International is also concerned about the authorities' continued lack of response to appeals made on behalf of Muhammad al-Fasi and other political detainees. It fears that the continued incommunicado detention of Muhammad al-Fasi creates conditions which facilitate the use of torture.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Telegrams/telexes/faxes/airmail letters:

- expressing concern at reports that Muhammad al-Fasi is being tortured, and urging the authorities to set up a prompt and impartial investigation into these reports;

- urging that he be granted immediate access to independent doctors and adequate medical treatment as necessary, and prompt and regular access to a lawyer and family members;

- seeking assurances that he is being treated humanely;

- requesting clarification of his current whereabouts and of the legal basis of his detention, and urging that he be immediately released unless he is to be charged with a recognizably criminal offence.

Page 2 of FU 333/91

APPEALS TO:

The Custodian

of the Two Holy Shrines

King Fahd bin 'Abd al-'Aziz

Head of State, Custodian of the Two Holy Shrines and Prime Minister

Office of His Majesty the King

Riyadh

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Telegrams: King Fahd bin 'Abd al-'Aziz, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Telexes: 403370 GUESTP SJ or 403260 NASRIA SJ

OR: 405000 MFA SJ; 405920 DIPLO SJ (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Faxes: + 966 1 402 3707 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

+ 966 1 402 6411 (Ministry of PTT)

[Salutation: Custodian of the Two Holy Shrines

His Majesty King Fahd bin 'Abd al-'Aziz]

His Royal Highness

Prince Naif bin 'Abd al-'Aziz

Minister of the Interior

Ministry of the Interior

Riyadh

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Telegrams: Minister Interior, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Telexes: 404416 DMMOI SJ (Riyadh)

603788 AMN SJ (Jeddah)

[Salutation: Your Royal Highness]

COPIES TO: diplomatic representatives of Saudi Arabia in your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 17 January 1992.