| Hmmm... Y'know, there might be some advantages to the Soddy way of doing things... |
Saudi authorities have arrested the spokesman for the team defending three reformists currently on trial in the kingdom, according to a statement issued by a local human rights group. Abdulrahman Al Lahem, who was already banned from leaving the country, was arrested on Saturday, Saudi Human Rights First said late on Sunday. Lahem was an outspoken member of the team defending Abdullah Al Hamed, Ali Al Demaini and Matruk Al Faleh, arrested on March 16. The lawyer had repeatedly criticised judicial practices during the trial, mainly in statements to the Qatar-based Al Jazeera television channel.
| Who does this guy think he is, defending a defendant? |
Lahem's arrest follows the sending of a letter by the defendants to Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdulaziz complaining that they were not getting a fair trial and proposing moves to make it open. The trio, who went on trial in Riyadh on August 9, are charged with "issuing statements and collecting as many signatures as possible on petitions" calling for change in the kingdom. They are also accused of calling for the adoption of a constitutional monarchy and "using Western terminology" in demanding political reforms.
They also allegedly questioned a provision in the basic statute of government which says the king is head of the judiciary. |