PUBLIC AI Index: MDE 23/005/2006

23 November 2006

Further Information on UA 299/06 (MDE 23/003/2006, 09 November 2006) – Fear of imminent execution

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

Siti Zainab Binti Duhri Rupa (f), Indonesian national

Hadi Sa’eed Al-Muteef (m), Saudi Arabian national, aged 31

An unknown number of others under sentence of death

New name: Ahmad al-Bahrani (m)

The recent surge in the rate of executions is continuing unabated. At least seven prisoners have been executed since 13 November, bringing the total number of executions during November to at least 11.

Another man is now reported to be at risk of execution. Saudi Arabian national Ahmad al-Bahrani was sentenced to death for murder and was reportedly pardoned by the relatives of the murder victim in exchange for payment of the sum of 6 million Riyals (US$1.6 million) as diya (financial compensation). However according to Saudi Arabian press reports he was unable to pay the first instalment of 3 million Riyals (US$800,000], due by the end of October 2006, and is therefore once again at risk of imminent execution.

Amnesty International is concerned that the four prisoners named above, and an unknown number of others, may be at risk of imminent execution.

At least one prisoner was pardoned by relatives of the murder victim shortly before he was due to be executed, on 12 November, in the south-western city of Jizan.

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, and often take place behind closed doors.

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, torture or deception.

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

- expressing concern at the recent increase in the rate of executions in Saudi Arabia;

- calling on the authorities to commute the death sentences of all those on death row in Saudi Arabia as a matter of urgency, including Suliamon Olyfemi, Siti Zainab Binti Duhri Rupa, Hadi Sa’eed Al-Muteef and Ahmad al-Bahrani, with a view to the abolition of the death penalty;

- urging them to ensure that international standards for fair trial are 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

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

+ 966 1 403 3614

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 4 January 2007.