Hassan Al-Maliki, Saudi Arabian Scholar Who Will Be Executed for Possessing a Forbidden Book

RIYADH – Hassan Farhan Al-Maliki, an Islamic scholar imprisoned in Saudi Arabia on various charges including conducting interviews with Western media and possessing a book banned by the kingdom, will soon be executed.

The British Parliament is pressuring its government to urge Riyadh to stop the executions.

Al-Maliki has been behind bars since 2017. The father of nine, who has called for a pluralistic Saudi society and political reform, is currently on trial at Saudi Arabia’s Special Criminal Court in a case whose trial has been postponed 12 times.

Also read: Musa al-Qarni, Opposition Scholar Beaten to Death in a Saudi Arabian Prison

Al-Maliki’s views have been described as Quranist, moderate, tolerant, and one of the opponents of the ideology of takfirism.

British human rights group Reprieve said he was held without access to communications and in solitary confinement for three months.

At least 16 lawmakers and their colleagues signed a letter demanding British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss urge Saudi Arabia to ensure that the country’s public prosecutor drops the charges and al-Maliki is not executed for the charges, including possession of a banned book. in his library.

“We are deeply concerned that a Saudi public intellectual faces possible execution for the crime of thought. Hassan’s execution will mark a major step backwards in Saudi Arabia’s positive reform trajectory,” read the letter, which was signed by a dozen lawmakers.

“Therefore, we ask that you make an urgent statement to your colleagues in Saudi Arabia to ensure that the charges against Hassan are dropped, and that a Saudi scholar and historian is not executed for the contents of his library.” The Independent, Saturday (11/13/2021).

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