Mar 14 2013
Express: Charles and Camilla to touch down in Saudi Arabia just after ‘brutal’ mass execution
The royal pair will be visiting the country as part of a regional tour designed to promote cooperation in economic, education, environmental and innovative spheres.
Charles and Camilla, who are currently in Qatar, are enjoying a nine day tour across the Middle East, seeing them take in the sights of Jordan, Oman and Saudi.
The controversial executions in Saudi Arabia took place yesterday with human rights activists saying the men – who were convicted of robbery and theft – were killed by firing squad, while the country’s official news agency stated they were beheaded.
The original sentences also called for crucifixion.
Amnesty International called the executions an “act of sheer brutality.”
“It is a bloody day when a government executes seven people on the grounds of ‘confessions’ obtained under torture, submitted at a trial where they had no legal representation or recourse to appeal,” Philip Luther, Amnesty’s Middle East and North Africa director said.
“The charges against all seven persons were allegedly fabricated and all seven were convicted following unfair trials,” UN experts said in a statement earlier this week.
Despite calls from activists for the royal couple to question Saudi’s human rights record during their trip, a statement put out by Clarence House has indicated the topic could go unmentioned.
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