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

[Rick Halperin]

Oct. 25



NEW ZEALAND/SAUDI ARABIA:

Clark appeal fails to halt beheading


The brother of a New Zealand student was executed last night despite an
11th-hour appeal from Prime Minister Helen Clark.

Meshel Ali Suliaman, who is studying medicine at the University of
Auckland, appealed to Amnesty International at 3pm yesterday after finding
out his brother Hadi was to be executed at 6pm. The normal method of
execution in Saudi Arabia is beheading.

Hadi Ali Suliaman al-yami, in his late 20s, was sent to prison 4 years ago
for helping a friend convicted of drug trafficking escape from jail.

His original sentence of 10 years in prison changed to the death penalty a
few days ago. The man he helped escape was apparently recaptured and
executed about 18 months ago.

Amnesty sent urgent messages to the Prime Minister's office asking her to
approach the Saudi Government. She lodged an appeal with the Saudis to
spare the man's life.

A spokeswoman for Helen Clark said: "The situation was drawn to her
attention by Amnesty late [yesterday] afternoon. She's asked the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs and Trade to make urgent representations to the Saudi
Government including a personal appeal in her name.

New Zealand opposes the use of the death penalty regardless of the reason
it is used. It is the ultimate form of cruel, inhumane and degrading
punishment."

Amnesty spokeswoman Margaret Taylor said Saudi Arabia had performed 103
executions since the beginning of the year.

Amnesty was trying to find out more information about why Ali Hadi Ali
Suliaman al-yami's sentence was changed, she said.

Helen Clark yesterday spoke at an event at Parliament to highlight World
Day Against the Death Penalty.

(source: New Zealand Herald)