Saudi Teenager Sentenced to Death by Crucifixion

A Saudi Arabian teenager has been condemned to death by crucifixion.  He was apparently targeted because his uncle, Shiite cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, has been openly critical of the Saudi government.

Ali Mohammed al-Nimr was only seventeen years old when he was arrested in 2012 in his home country of Saudi Arabia. The teen was accused of illegal protesting and gun possession, although no evidence was presented to prove the weapons charge.

The corruption of the Saudi criminal justice system is evident: The youth was held without legal counsel, and was tortured to extract a forced confession. He was not invited to a secret appeal, which was held without his knowledge.

Maya Foa of the British legal aid organization Reprieve said of the case,

Ali was a vulnerable child when he was arrested and this ordeal began. His execution — based apparently on the authorities’ dislike for his uncle, and his involvement in anti-government protests — would violate international law and the most basic standards of decency. It must be stopped.

A Saudi teenager is facing death by crucifixion in his home country of Saudi Arabia on charges activists say are politically motivated.

Protesters have taken to Twitter to protest the sentencing under the hashtag #FreeNimr. Supporters have also started a Facebook page, Free Sheikh Nimr Baqir Al-Nimr.