Saudi Arabia should immediately halt execution of juvenile Ali Mohammed al-Nimr
| Publisher | International Federation for Human Rights |
| Publication Date | 24 September 2015 |
| Cite as | International Federation for Human Rights, Saudi Arabia should immediately halt execution of juvenile Ali Mohammed al-Nimr, 24 September 2015, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/5617af542d.html [accessed 20 December 2015] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
24/09/2015
(Paris) Ali Mohammed al-Nimr has been sentenced to death by crucifixion for his participation in an illegal demonstration during the Arab Spring pro democracy uprising, despite the fact that at the time of the offence, he was a minor. He could be executed at any moment.
Ali al-Nimr, a high school student, had just turned 17 when he was arrested on 14 February 2012 during an anti-government protest in the Shiite province of Qatif. He was charged by the authorities with participating in illegal protests and other offences including "insulting the King and delivering religious sermons that 'disrupt national unity", "explaining how to give first aid to protestors", and "using his blackberry to invite others to join him at the protest".
Ali was held in pre trial detention for two years without access to his laywer, severely tortured, and forced to sign a false confession. During his trial, he was not given access to the evidence against him, and was informed of the charges at a very late stage of the proceedings. His forced confession was the only evidence brought against him. Ali was sentenced to death by crucificion on 27 May 2014 and even his final appeal was held in secret.
Ali's case seems to be linked to the case against his uncle, Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, a 53-year old critic of the Saudi regime, and a prominent religious leader in the Kingdom. Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr has also been sentenced to death in his case.
