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Saudis release Brit "alk-runners"
Six Britons convicted of bombings in Saudi Arabia have been released from jail. The six were convicted of a wave of bombings in 2000 and early 2001, and two of them had faced public beheading. The Saudi Embassy said the men had been granted "royal clemency" and had left the country for Britain on Friday morning.Their press conference back on home soil should be interesting... Sandy Mitchell, from Kirkintilloch, Glasgow, and Glasgow-born William Sampson — a longtime resident of Canada — faced public beheading after being convicted of planting a bomb under Christopher Rodwayâs car in November 2000. James Cottle from Manchester, Peter Brandon from Cardiff, Les Walker from the Wirral and James Lee from Dinas Powys, south Wales, were sentenced to up to 18 years each. A seventh Briton, Glenn Ballard, who was detained for 10 months but not charged, has also been released. Saudi authorities claimed the bombings, which also injured other foreigners, were part of an alleged feud over illicit alcohol trading among expatriates. But their families and campaigners claimed the six were scapegoats for the November 2000 blast and subsequent bombings, carried out by Islamic extremists. They said confessions made on television were forced out of them, and that they had been victims of torture and solitary confinement. The menâs lawyer Salah al-Hejailan said his clients were "grateful Whereas plenty of the locals positively live for death. He said the granting of clemency was in the interests of both the Saudi and British governments and praised the "political participation by all the governments". "They have done a very good job," he said. But the widow of Mr Rodway, who was herself slightly injured in 2000 car bombing, said she was "shocked" by the news. Jane Rodway, 53, from Reading, Berkshire, said: "Iâm a bit stunned and worried because they all said they were innocent and if they are, who did kill my husband and try to kill me? They are still guilty men. I just think, what next? Somebody killed my husband. I need to be given evidence from somewhere. I need to know the truth." Cut it with Occamâs razor for now, dear. The truth will out soon enough. She said she understood the six had been released after her stepson Justin, 28, as the eldest male in the family, gave clemency to the men. She did not have a say under Saudi law. Sounds a trifle reality-challenged, this lady. Ideal BBC interviewee. Supporter MP John Pugh said the release would "draw a line" under the case. He attributed the release to diplomatic pressure and recent meetings he and others had had with the new Saudi ambassador to London. He suggested that the Saudi authorities had realised the affair was damaging both the image of Saudi justice, and Saudi-UK relations. "I think they got the wrong people — they have another view — but nonetheless I think the outcome which has occurred is highly desirable," he said. "I donât imagine the Saudis will come out and publicly say their legal system is flawed. They will probably continue to say they caught the right men and this is more an act of mercy." Posted by: Bulldog 2003-08-08 |
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