Ali Hussain Sibat

Original Report

Amnesty International has urged the King of Saudi Arabia to halt the executions of two men, sentenced to death on charges relating to "sorcery".

Lebanese national 'Ali Hussain Sibat and another unidentified man, could be executed at any time if their sentences are upheld by the appeal and Supreme Courts.

The Saudi Arabian authorities have arrested scores of people for "sorcery" this year.

Amnesty International does not have precise details of the charges on which 'Ali Hussain Sibat was convicted. The organization has received reports that they were based on the accusation that he had engaged in "sorcery".

'Ali Hussain Sibat was a presenter on a TV show on the Lebanese satellite station Sheherazade, where he gave advice and predictions about the future. His lawyer in Lebanon believes that he was arrested because members of the Mutawa’een (religious police) had recognized him from the show.

According to his lawyer, Interrogators told 'Ali Hussain Sibat to write down what he did for a living, reassuring him that, if he did so, he would be allowed to go home after a few weeks. This document was presented in court as a "confession", and used to convict.

'Ali Hussain Sibat was arrested by the Mutawa'een in his hotel room in the city of Madina in May 2008. He had travelled to Saudi Arabia to perform a form of Muslim pilgrimage, the 'umra.

Source: Amnesty International

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