All Quiet on the Execution Front: Ali Hussein Sibat Still Imprisoned in Saudi Arabia for “Witchcraft,” but Not Yet Beheaded
Posted By Vicki McClure Davidson on April 11, 2010
Saudi Arabia: Execution of popular Lebanese TV fortune teller Ali Hussain Sibat, seen here with two of his five children, for 'sorcery' has been postponed
Very little news to report on the unjust, barbaric case of popular TV personality Ali Hussein Sibit.
For those not familiar with the case, Sibat, a Lebanese, while making a pilgrimage in 2008 to Saudi Arabia, was arrested and found “guilty” of witchcraft. This was because he had hosted a popular TV show in Lebanon where he made predictions and gave advice. Airings of that show were broadcast outside Lebanon — Saudi Arabia was one of the countries receiving the signal — from an Arab satellite TV channel in Beirut. His life has been made into a living hell for two years now. The Saudi “sorcery police” recognized him from his TV program and arrested him. Sibat was scheduled to be beheaded on April 2 for his “crime” of witchcraft. Because of the efforts of Amnesty International to publicize this case and the resulting outcry from around the world, his execution was postponed.
At this point, another week has passed, and it is believed that Sibat is still alive.
This is the most recent report, from April 5, on Sibat’s stay of execution that I could locate.
From CNN.com blog, Reprieve for Lebanese man who was set to die for ‘sorcery’:
May El Khansa told CNN that she got confirmation from Ibrahim Najjar, Lebanon’s justice minister, that her client, Ali Hussain Sibat, was still alive.
Justice Minister Najjar said last week that he had urged the Saudi government not to carry out the execution, and Sibat’s wife made an emotional plea for mercy from the kingdom’s rulers during a CNN interview Thursday.
“All I ask is for the Saudi king and the Saudi government to show him mercy – let him come back to his country and his family,” Samira Rahmoon said.
Sibat used to offer predictions and advice to callers on a Lebanese television network. He was arrested by Saudi Arabia’s religious police and charged with sorcery while visiting the country in May 2008 while on an Islamic pilgrimage, El Khansa said. Saudi authorities have not disclosed details of the charge for which Sibat has been condemned.
“We can’t understand how they could arrest him and charge him and sentence him to death,” Rahmoon said. “It doesn’t make any sense.”
El Khansa said Wednesday that she had been told about the upcoming execution by a Saudi source with knowledge of the case and the proceedings.
Lebanon’s government said it had no confirmation that his execution had been set, but Najjar called the sentence “disproportionate.”
This information is provided on the Amnesty International website:
PLEASE WRITE IMMEDIATELY in Arabic, English or your own language:
- Urging the King to halt the execution of ‘Ali Hussain Sibat and the man sentenced to death on “apostasy” charges in Hail in July 2009, if their sentences are upheld by the Supreme Court;
- Calling on the authorities to release ‘Ali Hussain Sibat and the other man immediately and unconditionally if they have been convicted solely for the peaceful exercise of their right to freedom of expression;
- Urging the authorities to desist from charging and convicting people for “apostasy,” as it violates the legitimate exercise of the right to freedom of expression and freedom of religion.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 28 APRIL 2010 TO:
King and Prime Minister
His Majesty King ‘Abdullah Bin ‘Abdul ‘Aziz Al-Saud
The Custodian of the two Holy Mosques
Office of His Majesty the King
Royal Court, Riyadh
Kingdom of Saudi ArabiaFax: (via Ministry of the Interior)
+966 1 403 1185 (please keep trying)
This was posted on April 1…
From 3News, New Zealand: Lebanese TV star sentenced to death for sorcery:
Sibat shot to fame on Beirut-based satellite channel Sheherazade by predicting the future and offering viewers advice about personal and financial matters.
The TV star was in Saudi Arabia on a pilgrimage in 2008 when he was arrested by the Mutawa’een, the country’s ‘religious police’, according to CNN.
A court found Sibat guilty and sentenced him to death in November.
The TV personality appealed the verdict and a Mecca court insisted the original judges in the case should reconsider the verdict.
On 10 March, the judges upheld their decision.
Publication The Arab News reports Sibat was found guilty of having continually practised black magic on his show.
Faithful reader Larry has provided additional contact information:
Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior
His Royal Highness Prince Naif bin ‘Abdul ‘Aziz Al-Saud
Ministry of the Interior
P.O. Box 2933
Airport Road
Riyadh 11134
KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA
Fax: 011 966 1 403 1185
(please keep trying)
Salutation: Your Royal Highness
COPIES TO:
President, Human Rights Commission
Bandar Mohammed ‘Abdullah al- Aiban
Human Rights Commission
P.O. Box 58889
King Fahad Road
Building No. 373
Riyadh 11515
KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA
Fax: 011 966 1 461 2061
Email: hrc@haq-ksa.org
Salutation: Dear Mr al-Aiban
Ambassador Adel A. Al-Jubeir
Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia
601 New Hampshire Ave. NW
Washington DC 20037
Fax: 1 202 944 5983
Email: info@saudiembassy.net
Related:
Frugal Café Blog Zone: Saudi Arabia’s Beheading of Lebanese TV Personality for “Witchcraft” Stopped… for Now: Outcry Heard from Around the World and Ali Hussain Sibat, Popular Lebanese TV Fortune Teller, to Be Executed in Saudi Arabia for “Witchcraft”
Sky News: Saudi’s To Behead Lebanese ‘Witch’
Voice of America: Beheading of Man in Saudi Arabia for Witchcraft Averted
Examiner: Stay of execution for Ali Sibat?
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Thanks for this update, Vicki!
He was on my mind the other day.
You may want to include or link in this post the further contact info from Amnesty, which was in the comments to a recent post here.
Thanks for the reminder, Larry – I was planning to do that, but then I got involved in something else and it completely slipped my mind. Will take care of it today.
God bless!