Wed Apr 13, 2011 5:12AM
There are many prisoners held for years in Saudi custody merely over expressing their views on reforms, a recent documentary demonstrates.
Many of these captives have pleaded guilty only because they hold a different opinion that calls for reforms in the oil-rich kingdom, or they are just youngsters arrested on a sneaking suspicion, a Press TV documentary has revealed.
Thousands of prisoners remember distinctly the day they were thrown in jail. Their relatives and friends do not have any idea when they might be released, the documentary adds.
Anyone venturing an opinion beneficial to the Saudi nation will be put in prison. Young people's future and lives are bleak because of "security doubts."
The fact is known best by those who were denied living their days. They were (and still are) jailed without trial or a clear sentence. They have not been allowed to even see the sunlight for years.
There is no trial for them. The crime act does not apply to them. Even having mercy on the wives and children of the detainees has no place within the Saudi kingdom.
"My father is a person who cannot see a wrong thing in front of him whether it is on the street, at home or in his society," said Eman al-Shimmari, daughter of the detained Abdul Rahman al-Shimmari.
"He was known very well by his students. He was loved by his students. He was a very honest man. He was not just a father. He was my spiritual mentor. He would help me in everything -- big or small. He had a (sense of) judgment that would let me recognize my way of life," she added.
"The whole family has been affected by his absence. After he was gone, everything fell on my shoulders," she further explained.
A Saudi lawyer, Dr. Bassim Alam, said that just like many others he is shocked to find out that many of his countrymen have been detained.
Dr. Alam pointed out that many of the prisoners are respected people from whom the country (Saudi Arabia) could have derived benefits.
"Instead of seeing them holding great positions at the service of this nation, we find them in jail," he added.
Dr. Alam noted, "In my legal opinion, I say that they are just prisoners of conscience."
"They are politically active. Their actions are legal systematically and religiously. It is even legal based on the current laws of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," he added.
Khayria Slga, mother of prisoner Saud Mokhtar, said, "I told him Oh Saud! You want to reform the country. Your country is proud of you."
“Oh, God! You said 'Pray and I will answer you.' I am an old mother. I cannot move much. I used to attend all of his lectures.”
Husam al-Rashudi, the six-year-old son of prisoner Suleiman al-Rashudi said, "Dad hasn't been home for four years, Daddy doesn't know where our home is."
For both the mother, a senior citizen over the age of 70, and the young child, it is clear that there is a dark fate awaiting their imprisoned family members.
Views and ideas from many Saudis are muffled by the ruling regime. The only sound one can hear is the sound of nightly raids.
The cry for negotiations has been lost in Saudi Arabia. On the one side, there are people who do not want to hear anything. On the other, there exist people who love their country so much that they cannot keep silent.
HSH/JM/MP/GHN/HRF
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