Low Graphics Site
White bar
.: Latest News :. .: News in Pictures :.
Daily SectionMarker

Misc SectionMarker
Horoscope

Weekly SectionMarker

Weekly SectionMarker

Pakistan's Internet Magazine
Herald
Dawn GroupMarker

Archive, Search, Feedback & HelpMarker

Weather
Dawn Classified



FrontPage National International Local Business KSE Forex Sports Editorial Opinion Letters Features Today's Cartoon TV Guide Cowasjee Ayaz Irfan Hussain Review Dawn Magazine Young World Images Dawn Group Subscription To Advertise

DINA
Previous Story DAWN - the Internet Edition Next Story

May 16, 2005 Monday Rabi-us-Sani 7, 1426


Three Saudi reformers sentenced



By Our Correspondent


RIYADH, May 15: Three prominent Saudi reformists have been sentenced to jail terms ranging from six to nine years. A Saudi court announced the sentences on Sunday, according to lawyers and relatives. The three academics were arrested in March 2004, along with nine others, after they had signed a petition urging the king to move towards a constitutional monarchy and speed up political reforms. Others were released after they signed a document not to sign any such petition in future. However, the three had refused and were sent before a judicial court for trial.

The court sentenced Ali Al-Dumaini to nine years in jail, Abdullah Al-Hamed to seven years and Matruk Al-Faleh to six years, lawyers said. The three had also refused to defend themselves in closed hearings and instead insisted on an open hearing, which the judges refused in order to maintain order in the courtroom.

The three academics faced charges of causing instability, collecting signatures for a petition and exploiting Saudi Arabia’s battle with Al Qaeda militants for political gain.



Click to learn more...
Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window)

Previous Story Top of Page Next Story

Seprater
Contributions
Privacy Policy
© DAWN Group of Newspapers, 2005