RIYADH: The families of the two Canadian boys, facing possible execution in Saudi Arabia following the death of a Syrian teen in a school brawl, appealed to the victim’s family again yesterday. Ali Kohail, the father of the Canadian boys, said that he would like to meet the family of the victim, Monzer El-Hiraki, in the holy month of Ramadan, when Muslims try to forgive and become closer to each other.
“I extend this request to them during the holy month and I hope that I will get a reply from them,” said Ali, adding that he had always tried to reach the victim’s family and to express his sorrow to them. “In fact, more than 20 members of my family including my brothers Abdul Rauf, Ahmed Jibreen and Jawad have visited them from the beginning of the case until now,” he added, referring to the reports published in both Saudi Arabia and Canada.
The reports said that Monzer’s father had criticized the Canadian government and asked it not to exert pressure on the Kingdom to spare the lives of the Canadian brothers. Despite this criticism, Ottawa has stuck to its public position and said in a statement: “The Canadian government will do as much as it can to help the two Canadian brothers.” A spokesman at the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, “Canada has pursued and will continue to pursue all avenues to assist Mohammed Kohail and Sultan.
Mohammed Kohail, 23, has been sentenced to death and he is in a Jeddah prison. He has filed an appeal, which has been accepted, but the legal proceedings are still not clear. Sultan, 18, his younger brother is staying with his family at home. Sultan and his older brother Mohammed Kohail were charged after a schoolyard brawl in January 2007 that involved dozens of boys.
Another accused is a 22-year old Jordanian national, Mohanna Ezzat, who has also been sentenced to death by the Jeddah court. In the schoolyard brawl, Monzer died of internal injuries inflicted by the Kohail brothers and Ezzat.
The Canadian brothers, however, claim that the Saudi judicial system has not afforded them a fair hearing. Whatever the court decision is, the father of the Canadian brothers wants to hold talks with Hiraki family.
He said, “We would like to sit at a table with them and discuss with them the matter and see a way out — if there is any way out.” Asked about efforts being made to contact the family of the victim, Ali said that the efforts had not so far been successful. He did say, however, “We are expecting some new developments from the courts this week. And we are very serious about sitting with the victim’s family to find a solution and we pray in this holy month for an amicable settlement.”
According to a report published recently, Mueen El-Hiraki, the victim’s father, indicated that he might offer clemency. That would only happen, however, in return for a public admission of guilt by the brothers and an apology from the Kohail family. The Kohail brothers now hope that the expected Canadian federal election campaign may serve as a spur to prompt the government to act.
The press secretary for Foreign Affairs Minister David Emerson said in a statement that consular officials are providing assistance and support to Mohammed Kohail in jail.
