RIYADH, 5 December 2002 — Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd has commuted the death penalty of 17 Saudis sentenced for their role in the Najran riots to 10 years in jail, the Saudi Press Agency reported yesterday. The agency quoted an Interior Ministry statement as saying that King Fahd ordered the commutation of the sentence after the men had repented and admitted their role in the unrest in the southern city of Najran.
“Seventeen of those who took part in the riots were sentenced to death while 70 others received varying sentences for their involvement”, the statement said.
The riots took place on April 24, 2000 near the Najran governor’s residence after police arrested an expatriate sorcerer.
The rioters opened fire at the governor’s residence, killing a security officer, injuring three others and destroying several vehicles.
Saudi officials said the sorcerer was practicing and teaching black magic in the city.
During a raid on his house, a companion of the sorcerer opened fire at police, seriously wounding a policeman.
Speaking to Arab News, Najran Governor Prince Mishaal ibn Saud commended the king’s gesture toward the citizens who have admitted their crime.
“King Fahd’s order has also covered commuting of jail sentences of others who took part in the riots to five and 10 years,” the governor pointed out.
Meanwhile, about 11,000 prisoners in the Makkah region, who were held for violating public rights, have been released as part of an amnesty declared by the king on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr.
“As many as 11,000 prisoners in Jeddah, Makkah, Taif, Raniya, Kharma, Turba, Rabigh, Laith, Qunfuda and Kamil have been released since the beginning of Ramadan until Tuesday,” Okaz newspaper reported quoting security sources.
In the Eastern Province, the government released 140 prisoners during Ramadan, Al-Yaum daily reported.
It said those released included Saudis as well as expatriates. “Their debts were paid by businessmen and philanthropists,” the paper said.
Al-Watan newspaper said that 30 prisoners were freed from Dammam Central Jail on Tuesday.
Lt. Col. Abdul Rahman Al-Oqail, assistant director of Dammam Central Jail, said the donations received by the department of prisons from philanthropists helped in the quick release of the prisoners.
He said those released included 14 expatriate workers, adding that they will not be deported. He disclosed that another group of prisoners will be freed within a few days.
