This is awful

[seagully]

Surely that number of lashes could easily end up killing him considering his age?

 

[Ernest]

Utterly horrific, barbaric, backward regime still living in the 5th century. Most educated human beings evolve and develop a natural sense of decency and compassion for their fellow man, for their citizens. No nation can preach to be perfect, but the sheer scale of the brutality there, with public floggings, maimings and executions for the most minor offences truly stands out as something from another age. Repulsive.

That's enough about the Tory government what about Saudi Arabia

 

[Nibble]

It used to be against the law to be homosexual in this country. You could get run through on the spot for poaching. Burned at the steak for "being a witch". Soldiers could get executed for failing to soldier even though they actually had shell shock. Do people on here look back on those times and think "oh well, they knew the rules"?

Yes, of course he was a dafty. He should have known better. But does that excuse the brutality of his punishment. Not in my book.

 

[Mackenzie]

Two things: the punishments in that region are barbaric and belong in ancient history. The bloke was very foolish to take the risk knowing what might happen if caught.

 

[Easy 10]

It makes you wonder why successive UK governments have counted the oil-rich *******s as allies.

Sadly, it doesn't make you wonder at all.

 

[symyjym]

He made the mistake of saying he wanted to get lashed up.

 

[Simster]

Yes, of course he was a dafty. He should have known better. But does that excuse the brutality of his punishment. Not in my book.

I think people are entitled to ask why he was making wine in that country whilst simultaneously having sympathy for the barbarity of the punishment.

BTW, you can bet your arse that the people running that country drink wine themselves whenever they want, so it's not as straight forward as "he knows the rules".

 

[daveinprague]

The ''No sympathy" brigade are out in full force I see.

If you can see an old man lashed 360 times for making wine, or shrug your shoulders as ''domestic help'' (read: modern day slave) gets an armed chopped off and have 'no sympathy' then you're a heartless *******.

Yes it's the law, but that doesn't make it right.

Why are you adding this maid to the issue?

 

[daveinprague]

People drink in Saudi Arabia. Saudis, and expats, most are not touched. The producers are. He took a chance with his liberty, and health, and was caught. You can complain about the barbarity of Saudi Law, but whats the point? Whether its barbaric or not, he knew what he could expect, and took a calculated risk that didnt come off. Travelling with booze in your car is a bit of a risk!
America has executed people who committed their crimes when kids or with serious mental health issues.. People dont seem to consider that so barbaric. People are executed in the far east for smuggling grass, something I also find ridiculous, but I do know, I would not smuggle grass there.

 

[Biscuit]

Why are you adding this maid to the issue?

Sorry, am I not allowed?

I'm sure you see this as black and white, a "he knew the risks" type thing. Well that may well be but it doesn't make the consequences any less barbarous. Were we right to burn witches and kill homosexuals? They 'knew the risks' as well I suppose.

You're defining right and wrong by the law of the land and we all know some laws are wrong and change over time.

 

[daveinprague]

Sorry, am I not allowed?

I'm sure you see this as black and white, a "he knew the risks" type thing. Well that may well be but it doesn't make the consequences any less barbarous. Were we right to burn witches and kill homosexuals? They 'knew the risks' as well I suppose.

You're defining right and wrong by the law of the land and we all know some laws are wrong and change over time.

Of course youre allowed. Im asking what its got to do with this case? A criminally barbaric act by an employer?
Lets face if, if any Brit, or indeed western foreigner is facing a serious punishment overseas, such as the Indonesian cases recently, we are swamped with
heart wrenching stories from the families. Mainly because they are western, and for no other reason thats really mentioned..other than they are good
they are sorry, they regret...please dont kill them.
Its called taking a risk for a reason.

 

[Easy 10]

This is a country that lets old men marry 8 year old girls.

It is a seriously warped, f-cked up nation.

 

[daveinprague]

I agree. Their laws are shit. Its their laws though. To keep comparing with other issues is pointless isnt it really. Plenty of third country nationals are executed in Saudi annually. If its a westerner though people expect different treatment for some reason, and its somehow more barbaric.

 

[studio150]

This is a country that lets old men marry 8 year old girls.

It is a seriously warped, f-cked up nation.

And the USA still has the death penalty and interns people in Guantanamo Bay detention camp for years without trial. Which is the more civilized?

 

[Blue Valkyrie]

Who on earth thinks it's a good idea to make their own wine in Saudi Arabia ?

I wonder if he sold it ?

 

[daveinprague]

Who on earth thinks it's a good idea to make their own wine in Saudi Arabia ?

I wonder if he sold it ?

Its a profitable risk if you brew and sell. I knew a couple of guys, who providing they survived their jail time, would have been very rich men when they returned home.
They went to Thailand,for R&R, those two and a visiting brother. They hired a coach, food, drink , and 15 women for a week. Theres big money to be made.
I bought some Siddiqui off an American in Aramco who was making his own version of Contreau...and Port ffs. He was living it large, and if he gets away with it, set up for life.

Ive was also given a can of Heineken beer...by a Saudi! Who the hell smuggles cans of beer!


...but the risk is huge. Everybody knows it, and everybody accepts it. They dont whine about the barbarity of the law.

 

[nicko31]

In Saudi, you can have sun, sea and tax free. But you can't have the sangria too. I'm afraid its not like you planted the alcohol was planted on him, its tragic but he knew the risks.

Dubai exists for a reason

 

[Simster]

And the USA still has the death penalty and interns people in Guantanamo Bay detention camp for years without trial. Which is the more civilized?

Good point - Guantanamo Bay is an abhorrent anomaly, although ultimately you still know the answer to this. If you go to the USA and smoke pot, you risk a fine or a small amount of jail time. If you do that in Saudi, you run the risk of having being lashed hundreds of times, assuming you don't know someone in high places.

 

[daveinprague]

In Saudi, you can have sun, sea and tax free. But you can't have the sangria too. I'm afraid its not like you planted the alcohol was planted on him, its tragic but he knew the risks.

Dubai exists for a reason

We used to go to Bahrain. Its legal there, and close by.

 

[Nibble]

I think people are entitled to ask why he was making wine in that country whilst simultaneously having sympathy for the barbarity of the punishment.

BTW, you can bet your arse that the people running that country drink wine themselves whenever they want, so it's not as straight forward as "he knows the rules".

I'm not sure what your point is? I've stated he was daft for doing it. Of course he shouldn't have , knowing the likely result if he was caught. I'm also sure the authorities shag out of marriage, take part in homosexual activity (it's rife among regular male citizens before they get married as they cannot be in the company of women they are not related to, "prison gay" so to speak) and drink copious amounts.

In short, I agree with you.