This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Dl2000 (talk | contribs) at 03:35, 24 November 2012 (int'l fmt tag). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Revision as of 03:35, 24 November 2012 by Dl2000 (talk | contribs) (int'l fmt tag)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)
Abdullah Hamid Ali al-Hamid (عبد الله حامد علي الحميد) or "Abu Bilal" is a Saudi human rights activist and a cofounder of the Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association (ACPRA). He has been imprisoned several times for supporting the establishment of a constitutional monarchy in Saudi Arabia.
Legal case
On 1 September 2012 Abdullah al-Hamid appeared in the Specialized Criminal Court together with Mohammad al-Qahtani. Both read their defense statements to the court. The charges against al-Hamid include "spreading chaos, destabilizing public order, attempting to impede development in the country and questioning the integrity of official clerics by accusing them of being tools for the royal family". If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison. Another ACPRA co-founder, Mohammed al-Bajadi, received a four-year jail sentence on similar charges in April.
International reaction
On 7 September 2012, Amnesty International called for charges against al-Hamid and Mohammad al-Qahtani to be dropped, saying the case appeared to be "based solely on their legitimate work to defend human rights in Saudi Arabia and their criticism of the authorities." The organization called for a letter-writing campaign to the offices of the Saudi king and the minister of interior.
References
- ^ "Saudi campaigner Mohammad al-Qahtani goes on trial; 1 September 2012". BBC World Service. 1 September 2012. Archived from the original on 3 September 2012. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=,|date=, and|archivedate=(help) - ^ "Two prominent Saudi human rights activists on trial in Riyadh; 03 September 2012". Al Arabiya News. 3 September 2012. Archived from the original on 3 September 2012. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=,|date=, and|archivedate=(help); Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help); Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - "Amnesty calls for case against Saudi human rights activists to be dropped", 7 September 2012, Al Arabiya News. Retrieved 7 September 2012.