The
condemned includes a young student named Mujtaba al-Suweyket, who was
only 17 at the time of his sentencing and was about to study in a
U.S. university.
Saudi Arabia, the Gulf kingdom ruled by an absolute
monarchy and key United States ally, is planning to behead 14 men for
participating in anti-government protests after what Amnesty
international called a “grossly unfair mass trial.”
“By confirming these sentences Saudi Arabia's
authorities have displayed their ruthless commitment to the use of
the death penalty as a weapon to crush dissent and neutralize
political opponents,” Samah Hadid of Amnesty International
said.
Earlier this month, the Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia
decided to uphold the sentences, and the 14 men were transferred to
Riyadh, indicating that the beheadings could occur anytime.
“King Salman's signature is now all that stands
between them and their execution,” Hadid said.
According to Amnesty International, the condemned
prisoners were “subjected to prolonged pre-trial detention and
had been tortured and otherwise ill-treated during their
interrogation to extract their 'confessions'.”
Full
report:
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