SAUDI ARABIA HARSHLY CRITICISED FOR EXECUTING 15YO BOY

March 25, 2008: the international Human Rights Watch organisation harshly criticised Saudi Arabia's justice system in a report published in London.
In particular, the manner of dealing with minors, who have been sentenced to flogging or even to death, was cruel and contradicted the principles of the rule of law, the report said.
"In 2007, Saudi Arabia executed three juvenile offenders, including a 15-year-old boy who was only 13 at the time of the alleged crime," HRW said.
Saudi Arabia does not have a penal code and judges pass verdict based on their own interpretation of sharia law.
King Abdullah announced a reform of the justice system a few weeks ago which, among other things, would strengthen the right to appeal. (Sources: Monsters &Critics, Afp, 25/03/2008)