The Minister of Justice in Saudi Arabia and the head of the Supreme Judicial Council, Dr Walid al-Samaani, has refuted allegations on the presence of mentally ill or underage individuals among the 47 convicts who were executed on the 2nd of January 2016.

Al-Samaani told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Saudi justice possesses a high level of objectivity and professionalism, and its judges are highly qualified and experienced; thus, the rules of criminal responsibility, including issues regarding eligibility, are unquestionably familiar to them.

The minister explained that the judiciary in his country is “institutional and impartial” and its provisions and regulations are based on the Islamic Sharia that “restores rights, brings offenders to justice and relieves the oppressed”, as it is independent and nothing but the Islamic law has power over it, that which has been confirmed by the established laws of the Kingdom and assured by its rulers.

He pointed out, that the convicts, with everything they did, were given their right to defend themselves in fair public trials in the presence of stakeholders and the right to counsel, the government appointed attorneys to those who couldn’t afford it. In other words, they were given all the necessary judicial guarantees.

Samaani stressed on the fact that the criminal justice system in Saudi Arabia fully complies with legitimate and systematic standards of evidence in terms of relying on nothing but the pieces of evidence presented in the case.

Sheikh Al-Samaani thanked the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdul Aziz, Crown Prince Mohammed binNayef bin Abdul Aziz, and Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz, on their efforts to provide the citizens and residents with security and safety.