Don’t lash AIDS victims: Saudi courts told

Saudi courts have been asked not to issue sentences involving lashing of convicted AIDS patients, 'Alhayat' Arabic language daily said on Sunday.

Quoting informed sources in Saudi Arabia, the London-based newspaper said courts in the conservative Gulf kingdom had received instructions from “competent” authorities warning them against lashing AIDS victims.

“The courts have been warned not to enforce any sentence to lashing against convicted AIDS patients,” the paper quoted a source as saying.

“Convicts who are spending their prison terms and sentenced to lashing must not be lashed. The courts have been asked to revise their sentences involving lashing against all convicts found to be suffering from this disease.”

Saudi courts are governed by Shariah (Islamic law), which involves whipping those convicted in theft, smuggling and other criminal activity.  

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