Munmun Kaur
Published On: December 21, 2021 18:55 IST
As per the reports by Human Rights Watch (HRW), a Yemeni man was Sentenced to 15 years of Imprisonment by a Saudi Court for apostasy.
The Accused Ali Abu Luhum, 38, is said to have made two tweets from two anonymous Twitter accounts registered from the phone numbers that were linked to him.
The Human Rights Watch (HWR) report read that he was charged with “Denial of the existence of God” as well as publishing content which “Prejudices public order, religious values, and public morals on social media”. Apparently, he was found Guilty of promoting atheism although there was no mention of what actually was said by him.
The Court held that the tweets were promoting atheism, apostasy, and unbelief. Also, the Trial was held without any Defense Witness
Michael Page, HRW’s deputy Middle East, in his statement said, “Saudi Authorities are sparing no expense to portray the country as tolerant and reforming, but contradicting state orthodoxy on religion still results in a decade-and-a-half Prison Sentence,”
He further added that modernizing Saudi Arabia needs to first stop policing people’s personal beliefs and he even urged the Kingdom to Decriminalize blasphemy.
There was no immediate response from Riyadh. Ali Abu Luhum is being held in a Jail near Najran, close to the border with Yemen.