A Briton faces beheading in Saudi Arabia after he admitted...
A Briton faces beheading in Saudi Arabia after he admitted planting a car bomb which killed a fellow expatriate
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A Briton faces beheading in Saudi Arabia after he admitted planting a car bomb which killed a fellow expatriate.
The sentence was passed on Sandy Mitchell, 44, after a summary trial without lawyers.
Mitchell, from Kirkintilloch, Dumbartonshire, and Scottish-born Canadian Bill Sampson both confessed to planting the device which killed British engineer Christopher Rodway in November 2000.
Sampson is also believed to have received the death penalty.
Four others have been given up to 18 years in jail for taking part in the bombing campaign against fellow Britons.
They are James Cottle, 51, from Urmston, Manchester, James Lee, 40, from Cardiff, Les Walker, from Wirral, and Peter Brandon, thought to be from Wales.
However, they are not yet aware of the sentences and lawyers say they have withdrawn their confessions amid claims of torture. The men all admit running illegal bars but deny the bombings.
There is a widespread belief that Islamic terrorists are to blame. The men's Saudi lawyer said that they had appeared before a judge and were told to confirm their confessions, but were not aware they were on trial.Sheikh al-Hejailan said: 'They are recommending that more than one man should be put to death and the others should serve long sentences.' The only evidence is their confessions and their lawyer still hopes for a proper trial.
He added: 'Criminal cases here do not end until they reach the office of the king. Everything before that can only be regarded as recommendations.
"I am still hopeful of presenting their case at a full court hearing."
The sentence was passed on Sandy Mitchell, 44, after a summary trial without lawyers.
Mitchell, from Kirkintilloch, Dumbartonshire, and Scottish-born Canadian Bill Sampson both confessed to planting the device which killed British engineer Christopher Rodway in November 2000.
Sampson is also believed to have received the death penalty.
Four others have been given up to 18 years in jail for taking part in the bombing campaign against fellow Britons.
They are James Cottle, 51, from Urmston, Manchester, James Lee, 40, from Cardiff, Les Walker, from Wirral, and Peter Brandon, thought to be from Wales.
However, they are not yet aware of the sentences and lawyers say they have withdrawn their confessions amid claims of torture. The men all admit running illegal bars but deny the bombings.
There is a widespread belief that Islamic terrorists are to blame. The men's Saudi lawyer said that they had appeared before a judge and were told to confirm their confessions, but were not aware they were on trial.Sheikh al-Hejailan said: 'They are recommending that more than one man should be put to death and the others should serve long sentences.' The only evidence is their confessions and their lawyer still hopes for a proper trial.
He added: 'Criminal cases here do not end until they reach the office of the king. Everything before that can only be regarded as recommendations.
"I am still hopeful of presenting their case at a full court hearing."
— SOURCES
- (Sources: Daily Mail, 27/04/2002)
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