Nov. 27
SAUDI ARABIA:
Lawyer Pockets Blood Money, Leaves Convict to Die
The case of Alaauldeen, who is awaiting execution at a prison in Tabuk
after conviction on a murder charge, has a new twist. An individual
donated SR8 million to secure him pardon, but the lawyer hired to deliver
the money has decided to keep it - leaving the convict closer to the
executioner's blade.
The philanthropist's gesture has in fact resulted in stopping others from
donating to save his life as they thought the case soon would be resolved.
The representative of the death-row inmate said that he received a call
from the philanthropists lawyer saying that he would deliver the money;
then he started stalling and giving excuses why he would not.
The lawyer who has the money first said he would deliver the money when
the case of the Khamis Mushayt girl was resolved. He then said that he
would not deliver the money regardless. The family of the death-row
inmate fears the lawyer may have used the money to buy stocks or for other
personal uses. The prisoner, who saw hope for a while, is now living in
fear and confusion. Al-Madinah newspaper met all parties involved in the
case.
"I received a phone call from the lawyer saying that he had money from a
philanthropist who donated SR8 million as blood money," said Oudah ibn
Saleh, the financial representative of the death-row inmate. "He asked me
to have the phone number of the victim's father to call him and collect
the money. The father refused at first, but after I insisted he went to
Makkah to receive the check, the lawyer refused to give him the check
saying that I had to be there with him."
There was always another hitch. "Because of my bad health, I authorized my
son to go on my behalf, and I gave him all the documents of the case. The
lawyer wasn't at his office when my son got there. He said that he was too
busy with the Khamis Mushayt case," Saleh said.
"When the news of the donation broke out, people stopped giving donations
thinking that it was enough, and the case will be resolved soon."
Apparently, the lawyer believes the SR8 million will be his.
"The lawyer said that he would deliver the blood money when the case of
the Khamis Mushayt girl was solved. This was untrue because the 2 cases
are unconnected," Saleh said. "Our case would be resolved if the blood
money was delivered. This puts the family in a difficult situation with
the family of the victim. I hope that the philanthropist will reveal her
identity and order her lawyer to deliver the money to the Makkah court so
we can close the case. It is not fair that the life of a man is in danger
because a lawyer has decided to play the stock market."
The death-row inmate was in low spirits when he met with Al-Madinah. He
said that he wanted to know what will happen now - whether he faces
execution or pardon.
Al-Madinah interviewed the lawyer who said that he wont pay the blood
money even if the case of Khamis Mushayt is resolved. He said that the
Tabuk prisoner is the least he cares about. He denied telling the family
that he would pay them the money, and says he doesnt care if the man dies
or not.
(source: Arab News)
THAILAND:
CRIME AND PUNISHMENT: Many in favour of death penalty, survey shows
Nationwide poll finds alarming level of support for extreme punishments,
including extrajudicial killings. People are becoming more unmerciful and
accepting of severe punishment, even executions, according to a recent
survey.
About 45 % of respondents to a Dhurakij Pundit University poll say they
support capital punishment for drug traffickers and almost 8 % even
condone the extrajudicial killing of drug dealers. More than 51 % believe
they should be jailed, however.
The countrywide survey of 1,154 people in October covered 8 topics ranging
from drugs, rape and violence in the deep South to brawling and street
protests.
A similar extreme pattern developed when it came to violence in the deep
South. As many as 47 % of the respondents say those involved in violence
in the predominantly Malay Muslim area should be executed. About 20 % even
support extrajudicial killing, while 48 % think offenders should serve
time behind bars.
An overwhelming 71 % want rapists who kill their victim to be executed and
7 % say, as a proper punishment, they ought to be summarily killed.
Even on the issue of student rumbles, 11.5 % of respondents say they
support capital punishment for those who often cause trouble, injury and
even death in public areas of Bangkok. As many as 42 % approve of
executions for migrant workers who kill their employer. This is opposed by
52 % who say they should go to jail.
As more mothers abandon their babies, 13.6 % feel they should be executed.
These extreme views of punishment are also reflected in the respondents
attitude towards street protests, which is constitutional. Some 36 %
believe the government should find ways to prevent demonstrators, such as
farmers, from coming to Bangkok.
Puangthong Pawakaraphan, a political science lecturer at Chulalongkorn
University and one of the pollsters, said the results were alarming
because across the board, 84 % of respondents choose the most extreme
punishments. That is, 47 % support capital punishment, 20 % give the green
light to extrajudicial killing and 17 % select life imprisonment.
When it comes to violence in the deep South, as many as 65 per cent of
respondents think the problem stems from the lack of patriotism among
those involved. "The number of those supporting extrajudicial killing in
the South is even higher than those supporting extrajudicial killing of
drug dealers," Puangthong said.
"Most of the people appear not to be able to imagine a peaceful resolution
to the conflict in the South."
(source: The Nation)
