Netherlands to protest Saudi death sentence

Dutch Human Rights Ambassador Lionel Veer intends to bring up the case of Saudi journalist Hamza Kashgari while he is visiting Saudi Arabia. Kashgari faces the death sentence for criticizing the Prophet Muhammad on Twitter.

A spokesman for foreign minister Uri Rosenthal says the minister is worried about the fate of the journalist and, together with other European Union countries, will call for a protest against the Saudi authorities.

Hamza Kashgari fled Saudi Arabia but was sent back there by Malaysia. Following a Dutch request, the EU had appealed to Malaysia not to do this.

The opposition Labour Party wants the Netherlands to offer him asylum and Geert Wilders’ Freedom Party wants Minister Rosenthal to summon the Saudi ambassador and demand the journalist’s release.

The Freedom Party also wants Justice Minister Ivo Opstelten to investigate the role of Interpol in the case. Kashgari was reportedly arrested in Malaysia following a tip-off from the international police organisation.
(imm/mb)
© Radio Netherlands Worldwide