JEDDAH, 12 February — A summary court in Abha sentenced a local businessman to 40 lashes in public for causing disturbances during the elections to the local chamber last month. The businessman, a member of the Tatwir Group, was found guilty of obstructing the smooth conduct of the elections to the Abha Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He was also charged with behaving rudely to a rival candidate which was the initial cause of commotion in the election hall.
The dispute was referred to the court after all efforts for an out-of-court settlement failed.
Reading out his verdict, the judge gave the plaintiff the right to witness the caning. He can pardon the guilty if he chooses so.
According to a court source, either party can appeal the verdict.
Under Saudi regulations, any sentence less than 40 lashes and 10 days’ imprisonment should be considered as final and therefore cannot be appealed at a higher court.
The businessman allegedly abused and spat at the leader of the rival Mustaqbil group in the presence of hundreds of chamber members waiting to cast their vote.
Police intervened to break up the scuffle that ensued, but the situation remained tense as they refused to arrest the alleged troublemaker. Calm was restored only after the direct interventions by the governor’s office.
Both the parties are dissatisfied with the verdict because the plaintiff believes that the suspect deserved a harsher punishment including imprisonment. On the other hand, the defendant believes that the judgment is totally unjustified and that he should be acquitted.
The Tatwir and the Mustaqbil are the main groups that contested the chamber elections in Abha in which the latter group won most of the seats.
