29 Mar 2024
Wednesday 6 January 2016 - 11:11
Story Code : 195576

Leaked memo proves Saudis knew executions would spark unrest

Saudi Arabias mass execution of 47 people on Saturday sparked an international outcry. According to a leaked memo obtained by The Independent, Riyadh was fully aware of this possibility, ordering security services to cancel holiday plans to be on full alert.

The Saudi governments decision toexecute 47 people ina single day has drawn considerable criticism, particularly given that one ofthose individuals was Nimr al-Nimr, a prominent Shia cleric. In addition tocausing a diplomatic crisis withIran, the incident led tomass protests acrossthe world.

According toleaked letter obtained byThe Independent, the Saudi government was fully aware ofthe repercussions ofits actions, butfollowed throughwith the executions anyway. The letter, issued bythe head ofthe governments security forces, was sent toregional chiefs inthe areas where the executions took place, and was marked "very urgent."

It orders employees tocancel holiday plans and exercise "maximum precaution."

The document was obtained byhuman rights group Reprieve, who says that the letter proves the political nature behindthe deaths.
"This letter shows the level ofpreparation the Saudi authorities went toahead ofSaturday, having predicted the outrage that would follow their politically-motivated executions ofprotesters," Maya Foa, head ofthe death penalty team atReprieve, told The Independent.


"If the Saudi government really wants toprove itself onthe international stage, it must stop torturing and executing protestors, and commit tofair, transparent trials."

Reprieve isnt the first tosuggest that Saturdays executions were politically motivated. A new analysis fromEurasia Group attributes the Saudi governments actions toits own waning influence.

"Saudi Arabia is inserious trouble, and they know it," Ian Bremmer, the president ofEurasia Group, told Business Insider.

The report states that "The Saudi Kingdom faces a growing risk ofdestabilizing discord withinthe royal family this year, and its increasingly isolated status will lead it toact more aggressively acrossthe Middle East this year.

"More generally, expect an isolated and domestically weaker kingdom tolash outin new ways."

Saudi Arabia has come underfire forits increased reliance oncapital punishment. In 2015, the kingdom killed over150 people. Sentences are often handed downwithout fair trials, and the death penalty can be given fornonviolent crimes including adultery, apostasy, and blasphemy.

By Sputnik
https://theiranproject.com/vdccmpqse2bqop8.-ya2.html
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