RIYADH, 27 May 2008 — The family and friends of a Canadian teenager sentenced to death by a Jeddah court for killing another youth during a schoolyard brawl last year say they have new evidence to prove his innocence.

Ali Kohail, father of Mohammed Kohail, who has been sentenced to death for killing Munzer Haraki, 19, maintained his son’s innocence. He said the death verdict would be appealed on June 7 — something that he came to know through reports in the Canadian press.

If the appeal is rejected, Kohail could be beheaded. “Mohammed’s 17-year-old brother Sultan, my second son, was sentenced to 200 lashes and one year in prison last month for his role in the same fight. We only appealed against this verdict last week,” said Ali.

He added that he had faith in Allah and in the Saudi judicial system. “My friends and I have also been working to reach an out-of-court settlement in the case,” he added

Ali, who was previously unsuccessful in meeting the dead teenager’s family to seek pardon for his son, said he involved some voluntary organizations and religious people to talk to the Haraki family. However, there has been no progress on this front.

Speaking about his recent meeting with Mohammed in prison, Ali said, “I thank Saudi officials for allowing me to meet my son. He is fine and praying to Allah Almighty.”

When contacted by Arab News, Andrea Meyer, spokeswoman for the Canadian Embassy, said, “We are greatly concerned. Since the case is going through a judicial process, it will be difficult for me to comment.”

However, referring to the role of the Canadian government in the case, Bernard Patry, a Canadian member of Parliament, expressed concerns, saying that Ottawa should do more to save Mohammed.

“That date of June 7, only a few days away when the case will be finally decided, adds even greater urgency to an already desperate situation for the 23-year-old convict,” Patry was quoted as saying in the Canadian press.

Arab News tried to reach Mohammed’s lawyer, Saleh Al-Ghamdi, to learn about developments in the case and the new evidence. However, Al-Ghamdi was unavailable to speak.

According to the Canadian press, a private investigator has identified people in a cell phone video of the fatal brawl. If this video clip, which was not considered in the trial, is made public or accepted by the court, the case may take a new turn.

The Kohails immigrated to Canada in 2000 and became Canadian citizens. The family then returned to Saudi Arabia to visit relatives in late 2006.

Mohammed was born in Saudi Arabia and has lived here for most of his life.