Chapter 11: Riyadh

Crime & Punishment in Saudi-Arabia - a visit to ' Execution Square'

Gabby insists on taking me to what she refers to as 'chop square'. Dira Square is where executions take place in public outside the Amir's Qasr-al-Hukm (the Emirate Palace) and the Qasr-al-Adl (the Palace of Justice).

Public executions!

I read that Sharia is the legal framework of Islam, derived primarily from two sources; the Qur'an and the Sunnah - the latter is an example of Muhammed's deeds and approvals concerning social matters. Sharia places the rights of Islamic society over the rights of individuals, who are judged as parts of the whole. The accused remains innocent until proven guilty.

In civil and criminal proceedings a Qu'adi acts as judge and jury, though the defendant has the right to appeal against the Qu'adi's decision. Legal costs are not recoverable. Interrogations are carried out in Arabic with translators provided when necessary - vital for a statement to be signed by the accused as correct.

Murderers and rapists are publicly decapitated. More than three thefts are punished by amputation of the right hand. Apparently thieves who steal from hunger and poverty are not charged. Adultery gets death, the act proved by testimony from four eye-witnesses. Minor penalties are public flogging, jail, fines and deportation for non-Saudis. Foreigners who travel in a car with a person of the opposite sex or consume alcohol can sign a paper swearing not to commit the same offence again. Women charged are not released until their husbands or sponsors collect them.

Dira Square is a horrible, chilling place.

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