JEDDAH, 14 December 2002 — The government has released nine of the 70 Saudis sentenced to jail terms for their role in the Najran riots following an amnesty declared by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd.
Najran Governor Prince Mishaal ibn Saud has been quoted by Saudi Press Agency as saying that all those who had served half their sentences would be released.
“Those still imprisoned will be freed once they serve half their sentences,” the governor said. Okaz daily estimated the number of prisoners released on Thursday at 9.
King Fahd decided on Sunday to halve the sentences of 70 Saudis involved in the Najran unrest in April 2000, just one week after commuting the death sentences of 17 others to 10 years in jail.
The decision was taken after the prisoners and their families submitted “apologies and repented for their actions,” press reports said.
The riot took place following the arrest of a Yemeni sorcerer who was allegedly practicing and teaching black magic in the city. The rioters had opened fire at the headquarters of the governorate.
Speaking to Arab News, a number of released prisoners expressed happiness over the royal gesture. “I don’t know how to express my happiness. I feel like being re-born,” one of them said.
Wabran Salim Al-Khareem, another freed prisoner, thanked the king for the amnesty. Mohammed Al-Salloum received roses from his children at the time of his release. Other Saudis released were: Mahdi Dubyan, Qublan Al-Fetaih, Hasan Al-Mahan, Marzouk Al-Zubaidy, Hasan Al-Hayek, Saud Okshan and Hamad Al-Khoraim.
