Saudi Arabia government to behead 'psychic' for practicing witchcraft‎

[Questioninggeller]

From the AP:

Family defends Lebanese psychic jailed in Saudi
By SCHEHEREZADE FARAMARZI (AP)
Associated Press
April 9, 2010


Lebanese psychic Ali Sibat had just woken from an afternoon nap in a Saudi hotel when the telephone rang. A Saudi man asked if he could make magical talisman for his sister who had marital problems. Sibat, in the kingdom on a pilgrimage, said he'd be happy to help.

As soon as he hung up, religious police stormed into his room and arrested him for witchcraft. Now Sibat is on death row, sentenced to be beheaded.

His arrest in 2008 and sentencing the following year has devastated Sibat's family in the eastern Lebanese village of al-Ain, who have been struggling to win his release. Last week, they were hit by the news that his execution was scheduled for that Friday, April 2.

His 19-year-old son went to a violent seizure from the shock and remains in a hospital. His 15-year-old daughter was thrown into depression and could not go to school. In the end, the execution did not take place, but the family remains in fear.
...
He later worked as a truck driver until five years ago, when the Lebanese satellite channel Sheherezade hired him to do psychic readings three times a week for half an hour. In the show, titled "The Hidden," he would take in calls from viewers with problems and offer spiritual solutions, as telephone numbers scrolled across the screen for viewers to call in from Australia, France, Switzerland, Italy, Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria.
...
Sibat's case has brought sporadic media attention since his arrest. The report of his imminent execution last week brought a flare of calls in the Lebanese press for his release. Justice Minister Ibrahim Najjar said last week that he had urged the Saudi government not to carry out the execution.

Rahmoun said that she had talked to Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, who promised to help. "But nothing has happened," she said. Hariri, who holds Saudi citizenship as well as Lebanese, has close ties to Saudi Arabia's ruling family.

Khansa, the lawyer, sent an official letter to Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah asking him to pardon her client.

Sibat did not practice psychic reading while in Saudi Arabia, she argues.

"Many Christians and non-Muslims travel to Saudi Arabia — and I've never heard the religious police there arresting them because they drank wine back home," said Khansa.

Full article: Associated Press

 

[Archer17]

Being a 'psychic' he should have "seen" that coming.

 

[likelystory]

From the AP:



Full article: Associated Press

Why do the Saudi's trade with America and the rest of the World if they are not obeying Islamic Law?

Kick the Saudi's out of the United Nations.

 

[HumanityBlues]

I heard this psychic's attorney on NPR and she didn't have a clue what was going on. I think the lawyer was Lebanese or Syrian, so I don't know how that works. but she was clueless about the law and how her client could be put to death. When I say "clueless", I mean that literally too, she very openly said she had no idea how the law worked.

 

[Questioninggeller]

Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court:

Saudi court rejects death sentence for TV psychic‎
The Associated Press
November 13, 2010


Saudi Arabia's Supreme Court has refused to ratify the death sentence of a Lebanese psychic convicted of practicing witchcraft in a case that has outraged international human rights groups.

A three-judge panel said in its ruling Thursday that there was not enough evidence that Ali Sibat's actions harmed others. The judges ordered the case to be retried in a Medina court and recommended that the sentence be commuted and that Sibat be deported.
...
Amnesty International says a Sudanese man, Abdul-Hamid al-Fakki, has also been convicted of sorcery and is still believed to be at risk of execution.
...

Full: The Associated Press

and from Amnesty International: http://www.amnestyusa.org/document.php?id=ENGNAU2010111219519

 

[MrBooglemaumau]

..Being ignorant of the law is no excuse..OK, I think it's obvious he was set up..As a TV psychic he would at least know that he'd be treading on some religious toes with his woo woo ..Glad he didn't lose his head ,and hope he'll give up his nefarious practice of conning people who believe this rubbish.....