Arab News, Riyadh/Jeddah/Dhahran, 17 April 2003

Students Hit Teacher

Staff Writer

QUNFUDA, 17 April 2003 - The director of education here has expelled three students for attacking their teacher, Al-Riyadh newspaper reported. Witnesses say that the three students waited for their teacher outside the school and attacked him on his way to his car. A court sentenced each of the students to 75 lashes.

AP Worldstream, 19 April 2003

Saudi Arabia flogs 11 men for minor offenses

Associated Press

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi authorities have publicly flogged 11 men convicted of minor offenses ranging from pickpocketing to harassing women, a newspaper reported Saturday.

The daily Al-Riyadh said the 11, all Saudis, were flogged near a mosque in the holy Muslim city of Mecca, 1,000 kilometers (625 miles) west of the capital Riyadh.

Three convicted of pickpocketing received 50 lashes. Another three received between 50 and 80 lashes for consuming alcohol and selling drugs.

Five men were flogged for harassing women. The newspaper didn't say how many lashes they received, but harassment could be punished by up to 15 lashes.

A special committee, formed by the Justice Ministry, the religious police -- known officially as the Committee for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice -- and local authorities carried out the flogging, which usually takes place on Friday in public, Al-Riyadh daily reported.

Saudi Arabia follows a strict interpretation of Islamic law. Courts routinely order lashings and hand amputations for theft and minor crimes. Murder, rape and drug trafficking are punished by beheading in public.

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