YEMEN: AL-LEWA FACES EXECUTION AFTER BEING PARDONED FOR BLOOD MONEY

in Sana'a, Yemen, Hisham Al-Lewa asked the Attorney-General to rescind the death sentence against his elder brother Mohammed Al-Lewa. Mohammed, 35, killed a highway robber while helping the security authorities arrest the robber in 2003. He was jailed in a Hajja prison. The victim's relatives pardoned Al-Lewa in exchange for the value of his land (YR 7 million) as blood money on February 28, 2008. However, the relatives insisted on the sum being paid in cash, not wanting ownership of the land. When this was not paid the Hajja-based Penal Prosecution decided Al-Lewa must be executed. The Prosecution then urged Attorney General Abdullah Al-Ulefi, whose office is in Sana'a, to ratify the death sentence. Human rights group have criticised the decision.