This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/14/world/middleeast/karl-andree-lashes-saudi-arabia-britain.html
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Britain Seeks Release of Karl Andree, 74, Who Faces 350 Lashes in Saudi Arabia | Britain Seeks Release of Karl Andree, 74, Who Faces 350 Lashes in Saudi Arabia |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| LONDON — Britain said on Tuesday that it was trying to secure the release of a 74-year-old grandfather and former oil executive who could face at least 350 lashes in Saudi Arabia after being caught last year with homemade alcohol. His family says it fears the punishment would kill him. | |
| The former executive, Karl Andree, who has lived in Saudi Arabia for 25 years and has been told he had cancer on several occasions, has already served one year in jail as punishment. | The former executive, Karl Andree, who has lived in Saudi Arabia for 25 years and has been told he had cancer on several occasions, has already served one year in jail as punishment. |
| According to news reports, he was arrested in the port city of Jidda in August 2014 after the authorities found alcohol in his car. Alcohol is prohibited in Saudi Arabia, whose legal code is based on a strict Wahhabi interpretation of Islamic law. | According to news reports, he was arrested in the port city of Jidda in August 2014 after the authorities found alcohol in his car. Alcohol is prohibited in Saudi Arabia, whose legal code is based on a strict Wahhabi interpretation of Islamic law. |
| Mr. Andree’s family has been pleading with Britain to intervene. On Tuesday, the Foreign Office said that ministers and senior officials had raised the case with the Saudi government. “We are actively seeking his release as soon as possible,” it said in a statement. | |
| Simon Andree, his son, told BBC Radio 4 that he feared his father would not survive hundreds of lashings. | Simon Andree, his son, told BBC Radio 4 that he feared his father would not survive hundreds of lashings. |
| “He’s had cancer three times,” he said. “He suffers from severe asthma. He’s an old, frail man, and I just fear that this lashing sentence is a death sentence for him.” | “He’s had cancer three times,” he said. “He suffers from severe asthma. He’s an old, frail man, and I just fear that this lashing sentence is a death sentence for him.” |
| Kirsten Piroth, his daughter, told the BBC that family members had abandoned earlier assumptions that Mr. Andree would be spared the lashings because of his age and health. “I just want him home now,” she said. | Kirsten Piroth, his daughter, told the BBC that family members had abandoned earlier assumptions that Mr. Andree would be spared the lashings because of his age and health. “I just want him home now,” she said. |
| The Saudi Embassy in London could not be reached for comment, although the kingdom has previously defended its judicial system, saying that it conforms with Islamic law and that it is applied equitably. | |
| The case of Mr. Andree comes as Britain’s relations with Saudi Arabia have come under renewed scrutiny. The Times of London reported on Tuesday that the British government was divided over a deal worth 5.9 million pounds, or about $9 million, that calls for Britain to provide training for the Saudi penal system. | |
| The newspaper reported that the justice secretary, Michael Gove, wanted to scrap the agreement on the grounds that Britain should not be aiding a country whose justice system allows for lashings, executions and beheadings. | The newspaper reported that the justice secretary, Michael Gove, wanted to scrap the agreement on the grounds that Britain should not be aiding a country whose justice system allows for lashings, executions and beheadings. |
| Saudi Arabia’s judicial system has long been the subject of scrutiny from human rights groups, which have accused the country of holding unfair trials and dispensing disproportionate sentences, including the execution of juvenile offenders. | Saudi Arabia’s judicial system has long been the subject of scrutiny from human rights groups, which have accused the country of holding unfair trials and dispensing disproportionate sentences, including the execution of juvenile offenders. |
| In a report issued in late August, Amnesty International said Saudi Arabia had executed at least 175 people over the previous 12 months. | In a report issued in late August, Amnesty International said Saudi Arabia had executed at least 175 people over the previous 12 months. |
| Last month, the leader of the opposition Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn, brought up Saudi Arabia’s human rights record during a major speech at the party’s annual conference. He called on the government to intervene to secure the release of Ali Mohammed al-Nimr, a Saudi who faces beheading over reportedly taking part in antigovernment protests when he was 16 or 17. The son of a prominent dissident, he was arrested in 2012. | Last month, the leader of the opposition Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn, brought up Saudi Arabia’s human rights record during a major speech at the party’s annual conference. He called on the government to intervene to secure the release of Ali Mohammed al-Nimr, a Saudi who faces beheading over reportedly taking part in antigovernment protests when he was 16 or 17. The son of a prominent dissident, he was arrested in 2012. |
| The United Nations last month also called on Saudi Arabia to prevent Mr. Nimr’s execution, after a court upheld his sentence. |