Saudi Arabia Sentences Fifteen to Death After Convicting of Spying for Iran

by Yesim Usluca
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — A Saudi Arabian court issued death sentences to 15 individuals, and prison sentences ranging from six months to 25 years for an additional 15 individuals, after they were convicted of spying for Iran.

15 sentenced to death following convictions of spying for Iran (Photo courtesy of The Times of Israel)

In February 2016, Saudi Arabia’s Specialized Criminal Court initiated trial proceedings against 32 men: 30 members of the country’s Shia Muslim minority, an Iranian citizen, and an Afghani national. They were accused of “treason, setting up a spy ring, and passing on sensitive data to military zones.” Saudi Arabian media indicated that the defendants provided Iran, the country’s long-term rival, with sensitive national security information which attacked the nation’s “territorial unity and integrity,” as well as its armed forces. The defendants were accused of meeting Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, coordinating with Iranian intelligence agents, possessing weapons, forging documents, and accepting bribes. Additionally, prosecutors alleged that they were attempting to sabotage the country’s economy, “undermine social peace and public order, spread chaos, incite sectarian strife, and carry out ‘hostile acts’” against the nation. The charges further included allegations of traveling to Iran and Lebanon for the purpose of receiving training on espionage techniques.

A lawyer who represented a majority of the defendants, Mr. Taha al-Hajji, informed Amnesty International that his clients were detained between 2013 and 2014 without an arrest warrant, and secretly imprisoned for approximately three months. During the trial, some defendants testified that they were threatened with solitary confinement. They further indicated that they were coerced into signing confession statements on the grounds that they would be “banned from having contact with their families” if they declined to do so.

Amnesty International has characterized the trial process as “grossly unfair.” The defendants were held in custody for nearly three years without charges or a trial. Once proceedings were initiated, the defendants were charged with an “exhaustive list” of accusations, comprising nearly 100 pages. At that point, Mr. Hajji indicates, some defendants had just met their attorneys for the first time. Furthermore, several lawyers complained that they had not been permitted to meet with their clients, view evidence, or prepare adequate defenses.

The Deputy Director of Campaigns for Amnesty International’s Beirut office, Mr. Samah Hadid, issued a statement in which he stated that it is a “slap in the face” to sentence 15 people to death after a “farcical trial which flouted basic fair trial standards.” He further indicated that the legal proceedings in this case have made a “mockery of justice.”

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman has denied any instances of Iranian spying in Saudi Arabia, while indicating that the accusations are “baseless and serve political motives.”

For more information, please see:

The Independent—Saudi Arabia sentences 15 people to death over Iranian spy case—6 December 2016

BBC News—Fifteen Saudi Shia sentenced to death for ‘spying for Iran’—6 December 2016

Reuters—Saudi court sentences 15 people to death for spying for Iran—6 December 2016

International Business Times—Saudi Arabia sentences 15 people to death over accusations of spying for Iran—7 December 2016

 

Stolen Nazi Concentration Camp Gate Found in Norway

By Sarah Lafen

Impunity Watch Desk Reporter, Europe

 

OSLO, Norway — After receiving an anonymous tip, authorities in a suburb of southwestern Norway found part of a wrought iron gate that was stolen more than two years ago from a former Nazi death camp.  The gate was a part of the Dachau concentration camp, and bears the slogan “Arbeit macht frei” which translates to “Work sets you free.”

 

The stolen gate bears the words
The stolen gate bears the words “Arbeit Macht Frei” or “Work Will Set You Free” (Photo Courtesy of The Huffington Post)

 

The 220 pound gate was stolen from under guarded watch in November 2014, and is believed by German authorities to have been stolen as part of an organized crime.  The gate was made by prisoners in a workshop at the Dachau camp.  Prisoners entering the camp passed through the gate, as it served as a barrier between their imprisonment and the outside world.

The Dachau concentration camp, located near Munich, was established under Nazi rule in 1933.  Over 200,000 people from across Europe were held at the camp, and over 40,000 died there.

After the camp closed it was turned into a memorial, and the theft of the gate sparked significant international outcry.  The memorial’s director explains this rage, describing the gate as “the central symbol for the prisoners’ ordeal.”  Israel’s Yad Vashem memorial called the theft “an offensive attack on the memory of the Holocaust.”  German chancellor Angela Merkel called the theft of the gate “appalling.”

Recovery of the stolen gate has brought much comfort to those who were upset about its theft.  Jean-Michel Thomas, president of the International Dachau Committee which represents former prisoners from the camp, was “very happy” with the discovery of the gate.  Margrethe Myrmehl Gudbrandsen, a police spokeswoman in Norway, explained that Norway decided to leave the announcement of the recovery to the Germans out of respect for its symbolism.  Gudbrandsen said that the Norwegian authorities “understand this gate is an important monument for Germany.”

While the gate was missing, a replica was installed in its place during events marking the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the camp.  Another gate with the same inscription on it was stolen in 2009 from Auschwitz, however has since been recovered.

The investigation of how the sign was stolen might be implicated by the lack of “usable evidence” surrounding the discovery.  The sign is now under police care, and they do not yet have any suspects.

 

For more information, please see:

The Huffington Post –Nazi Death Camp Gate Found in Norway 2 Years After Being Stolen From Dachau — 3 December 2016

NBC — Stolen Dachau Concentration Camp Gate Found in Norway — 3 December 2016

CBS — Dachau Gate Appears to be Found in Norway — 2 December 2016

The Guardian — Dachau Concentration Camp Gate Found Two Years After it was Stolen — 2 December 2016

The New York Times — ‘Arbeit Macht Frei’ Gate Thought to be Stolen from Dachau is Found — 2 December 2016

 

Saudi Arabia Extends Prison Sentence of Human Rights Activist

by Yesim Usluca
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — A Saudi Arabian court extended a human rights activist’s jail sentence by two years, from nine to eleven years.

Human rights activist Issa Al-Hamid will now serve eleven years in prison (Photo courtesy of Arabian Business)

Mr. Issa Al-Hamid, a Saudi Arabian human rights defender, had received a prison sentence of nine years in April 2016 for a “long list” of charges, which included “communicating false information to undermine the image of the state.” The charges referenced online articles written and statements made by Mr. Hamid in which he had called upon the Saudi king to order an investigation into rights abuses. He had further spoken about issues such as the right to demonstrate.

Following an appeal, on December 1st, the Specialized Criminal Court of Saudi Arabia increased Mr. Hamid’s prison sentence to eleven years. It further imposed a travel ban of equal duration, in addition to a fine of 100,000 Saudi Riyals (approximately $27,000 USD).

The group with which Mr. Hamid was associated, Saudi Arabia’s Civil and Political Rights Association (ACPRA), was shut down by Saudi authorities in 2013. All of its founders have subsequently been sentenced to prison in connection with their “peaceful human rights activities.”

Mr. Samah Hadid, Deputy Director of Campaigns at Amnesty International, stated that the extended prison sentence is another example of the authorities’ “continuous ruthless and relentless crackdown on political dissidents” in the country. He indicated that the decision is a reflection of the “regime’s unabated persecution of human rights defenders.”

Mr. Hadid stated that these “blatantly unfair proceedings” appear to be “designed to silence” individuals who are attempting to “expose the Kingdom’s incessant human rights violations.” He urged Saudi authorities to “urgently quash the unjust conviction” of Mr. Hamid, as well as the convictions of all other human rights defenders. He further stated that Mr. Hamid and his two brothers, who are both doctors, have paid a high price for defending human rights, and noted that such individuals should be “protected and recognized, not sentenced and imprisoned.”

Saudi Arabia has long been the subject of international criticism due to its lack of protection for human rights, “draconian restrictions on freedom of speech,” and severe punishments for those opposing the regime.

For more information, please see:

Press TV—Saudi court increases human rights activist’s prison sentence by two years—2 December 2016

Middle East Online—Saudi increases jail term for rights activist to 11 years—1 December 2016

Amnesty International—Saudi Arabia increases ruthless sentence in unfair trial of human rights defender to 11 years—1 December 2016

 

Egyptian Journalists Union Head Sentenced to Two Years in Prison

By Samantha Netzband 

Impunity Watch, Africa Desk Reporter

CAIRO, Egypt– The Union Head of Egyptian Journalists was sentenced to two years in prison on November 19th.   Yahia Qalash — the head of Egypt’s Journalists Syndicate — and board members Khaled al-Balshy and Gamal Abdel Rahim were convicted for harboring wanted journalists.

Yehia Qallash at a protest rally outside the Journalist Syndicate headquarters in Cairo. Photo: 4 May 2016

Yahia Qalash speaks in front of Union headquarters. (Photo Courtesy BBC)

Prosecutors ordered Qalash, al-Balshy, and Abdel Rahim tried for harboring wanted journalists who spread lies.  These journalists came under fire after they started protests after the Egyptian government turned over two islands in the Red Sea to Saudi Arabia.  Many Egyptians see this as an unconstitutional, non transparent act.

Qalash, al-Balshy, and Abdel Rahim have the opportunity to appeal their convictions.  In the meantime their bail has been set at $630.  They have the opportunity to go about their business as they await appeal.  This is the first time that the Union Head of Egypt’s Journalists Syndicate has been arrest in the unions over 75 year history.

Human rights activists are not pleased that Qalash, al-Balshy, and Abdel Rahim were put on trial.  Gamal Eid, a human rights lawyer and founder of the Arab Network for Human Rights Information, said, “This case shouldn’t have gone to court to begin with,…the decision is political…we are not talking about the law and judiciary.”  Dozens of other opposition journalists have been arrested under President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi rule, who has ensured that dissenters are quashed quickly.

For more information, please see: 

ABC News Austrailia – Head of Egypt press union sentenced to two years’ jail for harbouring wanted journalists – 19 November 2016

BBC – Egypt journalist’ union head gets two-year jail term – 19 November 2016

Wall Street Journal – Head of Egyptian Press Union Gets Two Years in Prison – 19 November 2016