A Saudi man convicted of paralysing a fellow countryman in a cleaver attack is being threatened with having his spinal cord cut in a tit-for-tat punishment.

The ultra-conservative desert Kingdom enforces Islamic law and on rare occasions metes out punishments based on the ancient code of an ‘eye-for-an-eye’.

The case judge in the northwestern province of Tabuk has sent letters to several hospitals seeking their advice on whether it is medically possible to render the attacker’s spinal cord non-functional, local newspapers said.

King Abdullah, the Saudi monarch, has been trying to clamp down on extremist ideology and is said to be opposed to sentences such as the deliberate crippling of Abdul-Aziz Al-Mutairi's un-named assailant

One leading hospital said that it could not perform the operation, apparently on ethical grounds. The King Faisal Specialist Hospital – a leading medical facility in the Saudi capital, Riyadh – said in a letter of response to the court that 'inflicting such harm is not possible'.

Another hospital reportedly said it is possible to cut the spinal cord but it was not clear whether it is prepared to do so.

The punishment can be waived if the victim chooses to accept 'blood money' in reparation.

The same also applies in capital cases, such as murder. There have been several instances over the years where a convicted murderer’s life has been spared at the 11th hour when his victim’s family has eventually decided to show mercy

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1304497/Saudi-man-paralysed-countryman-cleaver-faces-having-spinal-cord-severed-eye-eye-punishment.html#ixzz0x87Gl8yj

Surely the hippocratic oath must apply, even over there?

Surely the hippocratic oath must apply, even over there?

Well, from the report, it sounds like it does.

What is the reason you are posting this Boater?

What is the reason you are posting this Boater?

Obviously in support of King Abdullah, Guardian of the Two Holy Mosques.

This man is trying to bring Saudi Arabia into the 21st century, from the 15th century.

He has done a lot already, but in order to bring the entire nation with him, he cannot move too fast. And, being over 80, he does not have too much time at his disposal. Therefore people of charity and good faith should support him in all possible ways, even on a Thailand-based forum.

What is the reason you are posting this Boater?

Obviously in support of King Abdullah, Guardian of the Two Holy Mosques.

This man is trying to bring Saudi Arabia into the 21st century, from the 15th century.

He has done a lot already, but in order to bring the entire nation with him, he cannot move too fast. And, being over 80, he does not have too much time at his disposal. Therefore people of charity and good faith should support him in all possible ways, even on a Thailand-based forum.

Very well said, Mr. Bear.

What is the reason you are posting this Boater?

Perhaps as Humphrey has suggested, but more than likely because it's just another snippet of news that puts Islam in a negative light.

What is the reason you are posting this Boater? :

Obviously in support of King Abdullah, Guardian of the Two Holy Mosques.

This man is trying to bring Saudi Arabia into the 21st century, from the 15th century.

He has done a lot already, but in order to bring the entire nation with him, he cannot move too fast. And, being over 80, he does not have too much time at his disposal. Therefore people of charity and good faith should support him in all possible ways, even on a Thailand-based forum.

during my time in the kingdom (Khalid and Fahd) the rumour mill churned out every now and then "just wait till the hardliner Abdullah will be in charge! the good times will be over. we'll all have to wear thobes and guthras, get a circumcision and select a muslim name. our homes, which presently are still our castles, will be raided. a bottle of Johnny Walker Red will earn us 99 lashes and a Black Label triple the lashes and deportation."

turned out it was all bull². inspite of his advanced age and conservative upbringing his views -or rather his actions- are much more modern than those of his playboy brothers Khalid and Fahd who never dared to even comment silly laws, regulations or fatwas but preferred to go hunting with their shaheens in Pakistan or enjoying the entertainment of blond ladies in their mansions in Marbella.

i wish King Abdullah a long life. may he rule for at least another two decades!

At least they distinguish between Johnny Walker Red and Black.

I guess it means death for a decent scotch?

At least they distinguish between Johnny Walker Red and Black.

I guess it means death for a decent scotch?

'Johnny Walker' and 'decent scotch' is an oxymoron.

At least they distinguish between Johnny Walker Red and Black.

I guess it means death for a decent scotch?

the whisky monopoly (during my time) was in the hands of a prince who perhaps owned shares of the manufacturer. Johnny Walker "red" was available most of the time at a reasonable price ($50-100 a bottle depending on the season) if one bought a carton with 12 bottles. any booze beyond that was extremely expensive but extremely cheap was the locally produced "sadiqi" (Americans excelled in producing a good quality).

the whisky monopoly (during my time) was in the hands of a prince who perhaps owned shares of the manufacturer. Johnny Walker "red" was available most of the time at a reasonable price ($50-100 a bottle depending on the season) if one bought a carton with 12 bottles. any booze beyond that was extremely expensive but extremely cheap was the locally produced "sadiqi" (Americans excelled in producing a good quality).

Aramcons were particularly adept at brewing Siddiqui. In the early days, Aramco used to issue a handbook to their expat employees telling them how to make a still and produce home brew. They stopped doing that several years ago but many long term Aramcons are still in the business.

I knew a guy in Yanbu that claimed he made over $100,000 per year selling the stuff for eight years before he was caught. He served six months in prison and then was released under a blanket Ramadan amnesty. I ran across him at the Bangkok USMTM after his release. He said it was worth it.

the whisky monopoly (during my time) was in the hands of a prince who perhaps owned shares of the manufacturer. Johnny Walker "red" was available most of the time at a reasonable price ($50-100 a bottle depending on the season) if one bought a carton with 12 bottles. any booze beyond that was extremely expensive but extremely cheap was the locally produced "sadiqi" (Americans excelled in producing a good quality).

Aramcons were particularly adept at brewing Siddiqui. In the early days, Aramco used to issue a handbook to their expat employees telling them how to make a still and produce home brew. They stopped doing that several years ago but many long term Aramcons are still in the business.

I knew a guy in Yanbu that claimed he made over $100,000 per year selling the stuff for eight years before he was caught. He served six months in prison and then was released under a blanket Ramadan amnesty. I ran across him at the Bangkok USMTM after his release. He said it was worth it.

The Blue Flame.

Google it, it's still around.

the whisky monopoly (during my time) was in the hands of a prince who perhaps owned shares of the manufacturer. Johnny Walker "red" was available most of the time at a reasonable price ($50-100 a bottle depending on the season) if one bought a carton with 12 bottles. any booze beyond that was extremely expensive but extremely cheap was the locally produced "sadiqi" (Americans excelled in producing a good quality).

Aramco used to issue a handbook to their expat employees telling them how to make a still and produce home brew.

The Blue Flame.

Yep, I have a copy. It was really issued for safety reasons. As you know, distilling can be very dangerous (yellow flame) so rather than risk people doing it wrong, they issued an instruction manual.

As for the American's quality of Sadiqi, not sure but the Brits and Aussies can make a fine tipple. The process is much easier nowadays, make a "mash" and put it through a water purifier...............allegedley

the whisky monopoly (during my time) was in the hands of a prince who perhaps owned shares of the manufacturer. Johnny Walker "red" was available most of the time at a reasonable price ($50-100 a bottle depending on the season) if one bought a carton with 12 bottles. any booze beyond that was extremely expensive but extremely cheap was the locally produced "sadiqi" (Americans excelled in producing a good quality).

Aramco used to issue a handbook to their expat employees telling them how to make a still and produce home brew.

The Blue Flame.

Yep, I have a copy. It was really issued for safety reasons. As you know, distilling can be very dangerous (yellow flame) so rather than risk people doing it wrong, they issued an instruction manual.

As for the American's quality of Sadiqi, not sure but the Brits and Aussies can make a fine tipple. The process is much easier nowadays, make a "mash" and put it through a water purifier...............allegedley

The best I ever had was at an Aramcon's house in Dhahran. It was as close to Jim Beam as anything could be.

The worst I ever had was some peppermint schnapps at a dart party. It was 180 proof and after a couple of drinks nobody was hitting the wall, much less the dartboard.

Aramco used to issue a handbook to their expat employees telling them how to make a still and produce home brew.

The Blue Flame.

Yep, I have a copy. It was really issued for safety reasons. As you know, distilling can be very dangerous (yellow flame) so rather than risk people doing it wrong, they issued an instruction manual.

As for the American's quality of Sadiqi, not sure but the Brits and Aussies can make a fine tipple. The process is much easier nowadays, make a "mash" and put it through a water purifier...............allegedley

The best I ever had was at an Aramcon's house in Dhahran. It was as close to Jim Beam as anything could be.

The worst I ever had was some peppermint schnapps at a dart party. It was 180 proof and after a couple of drinks nobody was hitting the wall, much less the dartboard.

I must admit that some of the Vodka, Jack Daniels, Gin and Whiskey essence flavourings, are pretty good now.