Foreign Office minister Leo Docherty triggered an outcry after telling Parliament the recent execution of a man did not breach Saudi Arabia’s freeze on the death penalty for drug offences
Foreign Office minister Leo Docherty was criticised after telling Parliament the recent execution of a man did not breach Saudi Arabia’s freeze on the death penalty for drug offences. Provider: Anadolu Agency via Getty Images Source: AnadoluSaudi Arabia’s use of the death penaltyHussein Abu al-Khair, a father-of-eight, was put to death last month for a charge of smuggling amphetamines, although his family claim he was tortured into confessing.
Human rights campaigners say the remarks are fresh evidence of the UK government watering down criticism of Saudi abuses, arguing the execution could have been halted with a stronger protest. There is an urgent need to step up protests, campaigners say, with Abdullah al-Howaiti – who was just 14 when first accused of robbery and murder, despite having an alibi – among those on death row.
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