KUWAIT TIMES: RIYADH: Four men, including three members of Saudi Arabia's religious police, went on trial yesterday for their alleged involvement in the death of a man in detention - an unprecedented case against a powerful force long resented for intimidating people. The religious police enforce the kingdom's strict Islamic lifestyle, patrolling public places to ensure women are covered, the sexes don't mingle, shops close five times a day for Muslim prayers and men go to the mosque and worship.
The man's family is demanding the death penalty for those found guilty of the death their relative, Ahmed Al-Bulaiwi, a retired border patrol guard in his early 50s. Al-Bulaiwi died in custody shortly after his June 1 arrest for being alone with a woman who was not a relative - an act considered an offense in the kingdom. Audah Al-Bulaiwi, who is representing the family in court, said three judges presided over the first hearing in the case in the northern city of Tabuk. He said the defendants - three members of the religious police and a fourth believed to be from the regular police - were present in the courtroom. Trial against Mutawwa opens in Saudi Arabia (more)
Saudi Arabia: Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
Mark Alexander
