Man in Saudi Arabia to face 300+ lashes for possessing alcohol

[HermioneWeasley]

Clearly this is an insane and barbaric punishment, particularly on top of 12 months in prison.

But part of me thinks that if you choose to live in such a repulsive regime and break the law, don't you have to accept it?

Should the British government intervene in another country's sanctions?

They are a member of the UNHRC and want to lead it. In this instance it is only right and proper that their appalling human rights record is under scrutiny. David Cameron will do nothing about it though. He was already asked by Jeremy Corbyn to intervene in another matter concerning a young boy who is set to be crucified.

For me, the problem is his age and condition. He's 74, had cancer, is asthmatic, how will he survive it. He's more than served his prison sentence while they're deciding this.

He lived there for over 20 years he knows the laws he also knows long prision sentences & lashes are the usual punishment.
He only has himself to blame.
We expect those who come to the UK to abid by our laws, it goes both ways.

I have limited sympathy too.

He is a grown man, he made his own choice.

thought sometimes the lashes aren't given all together.

Yes I know little, 50 at a time or something? Can't imagine getting 50, and knowing that's going to happen another 7 times.

I don't know how I'm feeling about this. Yes he knew the rules, but has served a prison sentence I would hope that he might be dealt leniently with the lashes. I think its unlikely though.

I can understand the government not intervening.

Well we've pulled out of a contact with the Saudi's and Cameron is writing to them but really don't see what else our government can do

At the end of the day he knew alcohol is illegal and has chosen to live in Saudi for 25 years so he knew what to expect.

However, I do consider the Saudi regime to be a disgrace to humanity so anything that stops even a little of their barbarism is welcome.

It's fucking barbaric. Shame on Saudi Arabia.

And crucifixion - Jesus Christ this is 2015.

" another matter concerning a young boy who is set to be crucified"
In Saudi? ? What has happened? Where's the uproar for this?!

its all about money. No way will Cameron want to fall out with the Saudi royal family

Glen very interesting thanks. I suppose the spectrum goes from all to friendly to trading to sanctions to hostility.

Saudi boy here

Ali Mohammed al-Nimr was, by all accounts, a regular 17-year-old boy who loved cars and hanging out with his friends when he was sentenced to death simply for protesting against Saudi Arabia's government.

Any day now, he will be publicly beheaded and his body will be crucified and left to fester out in the open for three days despite worldwide condemnation.

Can I reiterate, they are a member of the UNCHR. They want to lead it. Can anyone else not see a problem with that? That we are sitting alongside these people who behead citizens in the street, who are willing to crucify teenagers and to flog an old man to death? I am utterly shocked at the complacency about this. Of course the UK should intervene as members of the UNCHR also, its what its for goodness sake.

Choosing Saudi Arabia as the world leader of human rights is like having a pyromaniac to head the fire department, said Hillel Neuer, director of the human rights organization UN

Is this the boy (17 year old) who has been regularly protesting against the government? I saw a report today he was facing beheading. Awful, awful country.

Thank you ubik though I can't actually respond to that yet

Sorry x post

I was listening to a radio phone in on this earlier.

Amazing how many people phoned in to say, 'he lives there, he knows the consequences etc..'

It is a disgrace. I am incredulous that some think we shouldn't intervene to try and stop this cruel and inhuman 'punishment'. Fucking barbarians.

It is a barbarous, disgusting regime.

I have nothing but sympathy for the 17 year old protesting against them.

An expat living there through choice, supporting this regime and breaking the law, I have mixed feelings about

There aren't the words

Sorry but the standard Mumsnet comment of if you are not happy living in a country that does 'x' you should just move is beyond idiotic. If you are from a country, have spent all your life there, have family and friends there you do not just move over one dumb restrictive law.

I too feel very sorry for the man. Presumably he is at high risk of dying from this barbaric punishment. But I feel more injustice about the boy for many reasons.

David Camerons response to Jon Snow Watch this interview and this will tell you all you need to know about David Camerons intentions on dealing with this. He is "keeping us safe".

Jeremy Corbyn brought up the case of the 17 year old facing crucifixion in his recent party conference speech. Before you accuse him of jumping on the bandwagon, he initially raised the boy's case in 2013 when he was 'only' facing 10 years for writing an article critical of the government.

remember Raif badawi?

Yes Ubik, I remember him.

TBH that's why I have mixed feelings about the UK guy - by choosing to live there he's condoning the regime. He doesn't have to be there, others have no choice.