18 May, 2008
His
Majesty King Abdullah Bin ‘Abdul ‘Aziz Al-Saud
The Custodian of the two Holy Mosques
Office of His Majesty the King
Royal Court
Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia
Your Majesty:
I am writing to express my concern about the death sentence of
Sabri Bogday, a Turkish national being held in Briman Prison in Jeddah. On 31 March, 2008, he was sentenced to death in an unfair trial where he was not permitted access to a lawyer,
and where no translator was present. I strongly urge that the death sentence
be commuted immediately if it is upheld on appeal.
I must remind the authorities that they are bound by international standards for fair trial. In capital cases they are bound by the United Nations safeguards
guaranteeing the protection of the rights of those facing the death penalty. These
rights include adequate opportunity for defense and appeal.
I am very distressed to learn that in Saudi
Arabia, hearings are often held in secret, and defendants are permitted little or no formal
legal representation. They may be convicted solely on the basis of confessions
obtained under duress or deception. In many cases, defendants and their families
are not informed of the progress of legal proceedings against them. It is shocking
that at least 50 people have been executed so far this year, 20 of whom have been foreign nationals.
Thank you for your attention to my concerns,
Very truly yours,
Cc: Ambassador Adel A. Al-Jubeir
Royal
Embassy of Saudi Arabia
601 New
Hampshire Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20037
