Egyptian Man Executed over alleged Saudi Qur'an desecration

Saudi Press Agency
November 2, 2007

http://www.islamicpluralism.org/543/egyptian-man-executed-over-alleged-saudi-quran-desecration

The Center for Islamic Pluralism strenuously protests Wahhabi lawlessness in the beheading of Mustafa Ibrahim, whose trial was reported in Saudi media and followed by CIP Saudi monitors. CIP also expresses hope that the Reuters news service will correct its use of the flattering euphemism "an austere version of Sunni Islam" [see below] in referring to Wahhabism, the Saudi state sect. Finally, the correct title of Ali Al-Ahmed's organization is the Institute for Gulf Affairs.

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Riyadh, November 02, -- Mustafa Ibrahim, an Egyptian, was executed here today after being convicted of practicing magic and sorcery as well as adultery and desecration of the Holy Quran by putting it in a bathroom, said a statement released by the interior ministry.

The culprit was convicted by the court, and the verdict was approved by the cassation court and the supreme judicial council.

The statement confirmed the determination of the Saudi government on combating crime and severely punishing the criminals.

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Egyptian faces death over Saudi Koran desecration

REUTERS

10:15 a.m. April 18, 2007

RIYADH – An Egyptian living in Saudi Arabia has been sentenced to death for desecrating the Koran and renouncing Islam, Saudi newspapers and a rights activist said on Wednesday.

Okaz and al-Hayat newspapers said worshippers at a mosque in the desert town of Arar in north Saudi Arabia lodged a complaint with police saying the man, a pharmacist, had left copies of the Muslim holy book in the mosque washrooms.

They said a court found the man guilty on Tuesday of no longer being a Muslim because of his acts and 'violating the boundaries set by God'. They said the man, whom they identified only as an Arab national, pleaded guilty.

Saudi Arabia executes murderers, rapists and drug traffickers to death by public beheading, according to an austere version of Sunni Islam. Anyone found guilty of apostasy can also face death.

Ali al-Ahmed, a prominent Saudi rights activist who has followed the case, said the verdict raised questions about Saudi Arabia's justice system, which rights groups have criticised over a lack of legal representation and codified laws.

'The man is Muslim and an Egyptian. I believe he was set up by extremists zealots,' said Ahmed, a critic of the Saudi government who is based at the Gulf Institute in Washington.

Saudi Arabia often responds to rights groups saying Islamic law specifies clear rights and obligations for Muslims and non-Muslim residents, who must abide by its laws and customs.

Four Sri Lankans were publicly beheaded then displayed on wooden crosses in February for armed robbery after what U.S.-based Human Rights Watch called a sham trial.

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