Posted on 03/06/2008 6:41:56 AM PST by Baynative
Prime Minister Stephen Harper has ordered government officials to seek clemency for a Montreal man facing execution in Saudi Arabia for killing a teen, a senior government source told CBC News.
Mohamed Kohail, 23, was sentenced to beheading after he was convicted of killing a student in a schoolyard brawl in 2007.
Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Bernier said his department will do what it can to help the man's family appeal the death sentence.
It's unclear when Canada will make a clemency request for Kohail, who is jailed in the city of Jeddah. The appeal window closes in 30 days.
Bernier said he hopes Saudi officials make a "decision that will be in line" with Canadian values.
Kohail grew up in Saudi Arabia but moved to Montreal with his family as a teenager. The family had temporarily relocated back to the Middle Eastern country to attend a wedding but planned to return to Quebec where they still own a home.
In January 2007, Kohail allegedly became embroiled in a brawl after his 16-year-old brother, Sultan, called him to the school asking for help. Sultan wanted his brother to defend him after being accused by a schoolmate of insulting a girl.
According to his brother's account, Kohail arrived at the school with a friend to find a group of men waiting for him armed with clubs and knives. A fight erupted and a student died in the clash.
(Excerpt) Read more at ca.news.yahoo.com ...
I don't get it. He's Muslim, his family is Muslim. Isn't his head coming off "in line" with their values? It seems that liberals would oppose the Canadian gubmint interfering in religious freedom.
Everyone just needs to keep their heads over this issue......
I think that if the Canadians had one ounce of intellectual honesty (I know, that’s fantasy land for liberal), they would compare the violent crime rate in their country with that in Saudi Arabia — and shut the hell up.
I am guessing that since the Canadian government is not asking for an outright pardon, that they must agree with the outcome of the trial even if they do not like the death sentence.
I hate to agree with something that goes on in Saudi Arabia but if their violent crime rate is low... then that does say something about their criminal justice system, even if all the other stuff is messed up.
‘after being accused by a schoolmate of insulting a girl.”
She’s probably already been stoned to death!
And all cultures are equal, donchaknow.
“I hate to agree with something that goes on in Saudi Arabia but if their violent crime rate is low... then that does say something about their criminal justice system, even if all the other stuff is messed up.”
But, don’t forget that it is legal to beat women. I’m assuming that statistic doesn’t make it into the reports. I’m also sure that raped women don’t report those violent because, if they did, they would be punished. I have nothing but contempt for Saudi justice.
“...raped women don’t report those violent because...”
= ...raped women don’t report those violent crimes because...
I think that anyone named Mohammed is fair game, because they play by different rules. These guys want sharia, he killed someone, he probably believes in sharia — it’s perfect. Why are the Canadians defending this guy?
Only when it involves the scarey religion of pieces. All others are fair game. This case also looks like it has a large element of self defense, which of course they don't support, or allow.
SHHHHH. Don't tell anyone!
Ok, let's see, this guy is in Saudi Arabia, he broke Saudi law and he is being punished under Saudi law. So why does Canada think they have the right to interfere. Not that I really know if this guy is guilty or not but if the Saudis tried to tell Canada how to run their courts the Canadians would raise hell. It is called soverienty and countries abide by their own laws, not some other countries, a lesson our friends to the south, and George Bush, would do well to learn.
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