[Deathpenalty] death penalty news-----worldwide

[Rick Halperin]

Feb. 23



ETHIOPIA:

Death sentence on Convicted Somali islamist


The convict Al-Itihad Al-islamiya, Mohammed Hassan Mahmoud was found to
have participated in the grenade attack that occurred at Wabeshebelle
Hotel and public transport bus and terror attack with in the compound of
the Postal Service in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Ibrahim Hussein Nalaye was
convicted of directly participating in the killing of Dr. Abdulmejid
Hussein.

The Federal Ethiopian Supreme Court approved here on Thursday the death
sentences passed by the Federal High Court on 5 convicted Al-Itihad
Al-Islamiya terrorists and a 25-year prison term on one other.

The Criminal Bench of the Court endorsed the death sentence on Mohammed
Mahmoud Farah, Mohammed Hassan Mahmoud, Ibrahim Hussein Nalaye, Mohammed
Almi Liben and Mohammed Ibrahim, who were convicted of committing
terrorist attacks at various time and places in Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa
cities in 1988 EC.

The Bench said it found no reason to change or make lenient the sentences
passed by the High Court in March 1994 EC and April 1994 EC on the
convicts for they deserve the sentences. It said Abdinur Mohammed, who was
sentenced to 25 year imprisonment also deserves the term.

The Bench said several people had lost their lives as a result of the
convicts' terror attacks while both the people and government had been
terrorized by the attacks.

It said it also understood that the terrorist attacks committed by the
convicts were intended to endanger the sovereignty of the nation and
destabilize its peace and security,

Accordingly, the stated number of convicts deserves to get the sentences
passed by the High Court.

Mohammed Mohamud Farah was found to have been a ring leader of bomb
attacks that occurred in various places of Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa
cities while involving in an attempt to murder the late Federal Ethiopian
Somali Minister Dr. Abdulmejid Hussein, who was senior government official
and founder of the current Somali State in Ethiopia.

The other convict Al-Itihad Al-islamiya, Mohammed Hassan Mahmoud was found
to have participated in the grenade attack that occurred at Wabeshebelle
Hotel and public transport bus and terror attack with in the compound of
the Postal Service in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Ibrahim Hussein Nalaye was
convicted of directly participating in the killing of Dr. Abdulmejid
Hussein.

Mohammed Almi Liben and Mohammed Ahmed Abdullahi were found to have been
involved in the murder attempt of Dr, Abdulmejid and terrorist attacks
that occurred at Ras Hotel in Dire Dawa, Ghion Hotel in Addis Ababa and on
a passenger bus heading to Tigray State.

Abdunur Mohammed was convicted of providing information at various times
to Al-Itihad terrorist group which was sending terrorists to Ethiopia from
Southern Somalia.

The terrorist attacks committed by the Al_itihad Al-Islamiya at various
times claimed the lives of 29 people while injuring 18 people. The attack
also destroyed properties valued at 11.42 million Birr.

(sources: Geeska Afrika magazine, IGAD2020 Security Watch and HAN staff
Reporter In Addis Ababa)






SAUDI ARABIA:

Human Rights Group Calls Saudi Executions a Travesty of Justice'


A human-rights group said yesterday that Saudi Arabia violated
international law when it ordered the beheadings earlier this week of 4
Sri Lankan robbers and then left their headless bodies on public display
in the capital of Riyadh.

Human Rights Watch said the 4 men had no lawyers during their trial and
sentencing and that they were denied other basic legal rights.

The group called on Saudi Arabia to halt all pending executions and to
retry those remaining on death row.

"The execution of these 4 migrants, who had been badly beaten and locked
up for years without access to lawyers, is a travesty of justice," the
Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch, Sarah Leah
Whitson, said in a report.

Saudi officials did not respond to a request for comment.

(source: Associated People)