MAKKAH, 20 May 2007 — The Reconciliation Committee scored another victory by saving the life of a man who had been sentenced to death moments before his execution at Taif’s Execution Square on Friday.
More than 2,000 people had gathered to witness the execution of Muhammad Al-Sufyani. Muhammad Al-Bishi, the executioner, prepared his sword and took position for the execution. It was then that the brother of the victim raised his hand and announced that he had pardoned the killer seeking nothing in exchange except reward from God.
People, who had gathered, cheered the decision and congratulated the victim’s brother for the last-minute change of mind.
Salem Al-Thagafi, member of the Reconciliation Committee in Taif, said that people cried out of joy when they heard the news. “We arrived early at the execution square to try for the last time to secure a pardon. We’ve been trying to get a pardon for quite some time but without any success. We brought the heads of various tribes to talk to the victim’s brother and after hours of negotiation, the Reconciliation Committee managed to win the pardon and save the man,” Al-Thagafi said.
Al-Sufyani was found guilty of knifing his victim following a fight between the two men. The committee has been working on the case for a long time and had traveled to Najran, where the family of the victim lives, to secure a pardon.
This is the committee’s first achievement since Prince Khaled Al-Faisal was appointed the new governor of the Makkah region.
