5 human rights activists face death penalty in Saudi Arabia

Five human rights activists who are currently being tried by the country’s terrorism tribunal now face the dreaded death penalty according to reports.

Notable among the detainees is Israa al-Ghomgham, who Saudi activists say is the first woman to face capital punishment for human rights-related work.

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According to a statement by Human Rights Watch (HRW), the charges against the activists “do not resemble recogniseable crimes” and include “incitement to protest”, “chanting slogans hostile to the regime” and “providing moral support to rioters”.

“Any execution is appalling, but seeking the death penalty for activists like Israa al-Ghomgham, who are not even accused of violent behaviour, is monstrous,” said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at HRW.

Reports say the activists who are due to appear in court again on October 28, have been held along with another not facing the death penalty, in pretrial detention without legal representation for more than two years.

 

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