Document - Syria: Further Information on UA 232/07 Medical concern, New concern: prisoner of conscience, Riad Seif (m)

PUBLIC AI Index: MDE 23/010/2008

11 March 2008

Further Information on UA 62/08 (MDE 23/009/2008, 6 March 2008) – Prisoners of conscience/Torture

SAUDI ARABIA Dr Abdullah al-Hamid (m), academic

'Issa al-Hamid (m), his brother

Dr Abdullah al-Hamid and his brother 'Issa started their prison sentences in Buraida General Prison on 8 March.Amnesty International considers them prisoners of conscience.

Dr Abdullah al-Hamid and 'Issaal-Hamid are now serving four and six months’ imprisonment respectively for "incitement to protest". They had supported a peaceful demonstration outside the prison in Buraida by women calling for their relatives, who are political detainees, to be charged and given fair trials, or else released.

No further action is requested from the UA network. Amnesty International will continue to campaign for the immediate and unconditional release of the two menby other means.