Qatar: Further information on Death Penalty, Firas Nassuh Salim Al-Majali
On 24 February an appeal court in Qatar upheld the death sentence passed on Firas Nassuh Salim Al-Majali, a Jordanian national and journalist with the Qatari Television network. His case should now be referred to the Amir, the Head of State, who has the power to pardon him or to ratify the death sentence. Amnesty International fears that Firas Nassuh Salim Al-Majali may be at risk of imminent execution.
PUBLIC AI Index: MDE 22/001/2003
24 February 2003
Further Information on UA 320/02 (MDE 22/001/2002, 28 October 2002) Death Penalty New concern:
Imminent Execution
QATAR Firas Nassuh Salim Al-Majali (m), journalist
On 24 February an appeal court in Qatar upheld the death sentence passed on Firas Nassuh Salim Al-Majali,
a Jordanian national and journalist with the Qatari Television network. His case should now be referred to
the Amir, the Head of State, who has the power to pardon him or to ratify the death sentence. Amnesty
International fears that Firas Nassuh Salim Al-Majali may be at risk of imminent execution.
Firas Nassuh Salim Al-Majali was convicted and sentenced to death on 22 October 2002 on charges of
spying for Jordanian Intelligence. He was reportedly held incommunicado for long periods of time and denied
access to a lawyer during his interrogation. Amnesty International believes he may be a prisoner of
conscience, punished solely as part of the diplomatic rift between Qatar and Jordan.
Until 2001, when three people were put to death, there had been no executions in Qatar for 10 years. At least
20 people are thought to be currently sentenced to death.
FURTHER RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in English
or your own language:
- expressing concern that Firas Nassuh Salim Al-Majali may be at risk of imminent execution and urging the
Amir to commute the death sentence against him;
- calling for his immediate releases if he is a prisoner of conscience held solely as part of the deteriorating
political situation between Jordan and Qatar.
APPEALS TO:
His Highness Shaikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani
Amir of the State of Qatar
PO Box 923
Doha, Qatar
Telegrams: Amir, Doha, Qatar
Fax: + 974 436 12 12
Salutation: Your Highness
COPIES TO:
His Highness Shaikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al-Thani
Prime Minister and Minister of Interior
PO Box 115
Doha, Qatar
Fax: Fax: + 974 432 71 77
His Excellency Hassan bin Abdullah Al-Ghanem
Minister of Justice
PO Box 917
2
Doha, Qatar
Fax: + 974 483 28 68
and to diplomatic representatives of Qatar accredited to your country.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if
sending appeals after 7 April 2003.