PUBLIC AI Index: MDE 23/004/2008

31 January 2008

Further Information on UA 299/06 (MDE 23/015/2007, 17 April 2007) and follow-ups (MDE 23/005/2006, 23 November 2006; MDE 23/003/2006, 09 November 2006; MDE 23/003/2007, 26 January 2007; MDE 23/006/2007, 01 February 2007) - Fear of Imminent Execution /Prison Conditions/Medical Concern

SAUDI ARABIA Hadi Sa'eed Al-Muteef (m), Saudi Arabian national, aged 31

Suliamon Olyfemi (m), Nigerian national, aged about 28

Siti Zainab Binti Duhri Rupa (f), Indonesian national

Ahmed al-Bahrani (m), Saudi Arabian national

An unknown number of others under sentence of death

There has been an alarming increase in the number of executions in Saudi Arabia since the beginning of 2008. At least 20 people have been executed for murder, armed burglary and drug related offences during the last three weeks. Those executed include three women. The prisoners named above, and an unknown number of others, may be atrisk of imminent execution.

Suliamon Olyfemi, a Nigerian national, was reportedly sentenced to death at a closed trial in May 2005 in connection with the murder of a policeman in Jeddah in 2002. He was one of 13 Nigerian men arrested in September 2002 in connection with the murder. The twelve others were sentenced to prison terms and corporal punishment (see UA 323/04, MDE 23/016/2004, 26 November 2004, and follow-ups). During his trial, Suliamon Olyfemi had no access to legal representation or consular assistance, and was reported to have had no adequate translation.

According to the Saudi Arabian Human Rights Commission, the death sentence against Suliamon Olyfemi has been upheld by the Court of Cassation and ratified by the Supreme Judicial Council. Amnesty International fears that Suliamon Olyfemi could be executed at any time.

Siti Zainab Binti Duhri Rupa, an Indonesian national and a mother of two, has been detained in Medina Prison since 1999. She was arrested in connection with the murder of her employer in September 1999. She reportedly suffers from a mental illness and is said to have "confessed" to the murder during police interrogation.

There is no further news about the other men named above.

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.

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 or deception.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in Arabic or English or your own language:

- expressing concern at the number of executions in Saudi Arabia;

- expressing concern that Suliamon Olyfemi, Siti Zainab Binti Duhri Rupa, and many others may be facing imminent execution, and calling for their executions to be halted immediately;

- appealing to the authorities to commute the death sentences against Suliamon Olyfemi and all of all those on death row in Saudi Arabia as a matter of urgency, with a view to the abolition of the death penalty;

- seeking clarification of the steps being taken to enable Suliamon Olyfemi and others to exercise effectively the rights to judicial review and to seek a pardon.

- urging that international standards for fair trials be observed.

APPEALS TO:

King Abdullah Bin ‘Abdul ‘Aziz Al-Saud

The Custodian of the two Holy Mosques

Office of His Majesty The King

Royal Court

Riyadh

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Fax (via Ministry of the Interior): + 966 1 403 1185

Salutation: Your Majesty

His Royal Highness Prince Naif bin ‘Abdul ‘Aziz Al-Saud

Minister of the Interior

Ministry of the Interior

P.O. Box 2933

Airport Road

Riyadh 11134

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Fax: + 966 1 403 1185

Salutation: Your Royal Highness

His Royal Highness Prince Saud al-Faisal bin ‘Abdul ‘Aziz Al-Saud

Minister of Foreign Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Nasseriya Street

Riyadh 11124

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Fax: + 966 1 403 0645

Salutation: Your Royal Highness

COPIES TO: diplomatic representatives of Saudi Arabia accredited to your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 14 March 2008.