Three Sri Lankans face execution in Saudi Arabia for robbery

[TamilNet, Sunday, 02 April 2006, 12:52 GMT]
Three Sri Lankan nationals are reported to be at risk of imminent execution. Their cases have been referred to Saudi Arabia’s Head of State, King Abdullah Bin ‘Abdul ‘Aziz Al-Saud, to decide whether to grant clemency or to ratify their sentences, a report from Amnesty International said.

Amnesty report further said the if the King ratifies the sentences the three men could be executed at any time.

D.D. Ranjith de Silva, E.J. Victor Corea and Sanath Pushpakumara were reportedly arrested in March 2004 in the capital, Riyadh, and sentenced to death in connection with a series of armed robberies. Their sentences were reportedly confirmed in March 2005. They are currently held in al-Ha’ir prison in Riyadh, the report said.

AI does not have detailed information about their trials or whether the three men were legally represented. However, the organization is concerned that defendants in Saudi Arabia often do not have adequate legal representation, even in trials for offences carrying the death penalty.

Amnesty urged readers to write to King Abdullah Bin ‘Abdul ‘Aziz Al-Saud to commute the death sentences. Send appeals to: His Majesty King Abdullah Bin ‘Abdul ‘Aziz Al-Saud, The Custodian of the Two Holy Shrines,Office of His Majesty the King,Royal Court, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.