SAUDI Arabia has sentenced three tribesmen to death for refusing to leave the desert site of the futuristic $500billion supercity Neom.
The trio from the Howeitat tribe had protested against their forcible eviction from the northern Tabuk province to make way for the ultra-modern metropolis.
afpThe three tribesmen have been sentenced to death for protesting against their forced removal from their homeland[/caption]
AFPSaudi authorities have evicted the Howeitat tribe to make way for futuristic city Neom[/caption]
AFPThe $500billion project has drew criticism for its hefty price tag and disruption to communities[/caption]
Shadli, Attaullah and Ibrahim al-Howeitat were quietly handed the death sentence by Saudi Arabia’s special courts on October 2.
ALQST, a UK-based independent group monitoring human rights in Saudi Arabia, reported the cousin’s “shocking sentences” were handed down in a hush-hush hearing.
The Howeitat tribespeople have claimed authorities have been using dirty tactics to try and drive them out of their land.
Those brave enough to speak out have alleged surveillance drones often fly overhead, while their water and electricity supply have been routinely cut off.
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It seems developers are now in a rush to build after Saudi won its bid to host the 2029 Asian Winter Games – despite construction being years from completion.
The three cousins were first arrested in 2020 for objecting to being evicted from their historical homeland.
Attaullah had previously shared video clips discussing the “misery of his family and all of the other displaced residents”, ALQST said.
While locked up for resisting their forced removal, Shadli is reported to have gone on hunger strike to protest his ill-treatment in prison.
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Middle East Eye reported that he was force-fed and thrown into solitary confinement by gaurds in response.
It seems Saudi have an axe to grind with the family, as Shadli’s brother was shot dead by special forces in April 2020.
Abdul Rahim al-Howeitat, a prominent critic of the exorbitant Neom development, accused officials of “state terrorism”.
The 43-year-old became the mouthpiece for the small-scale movement against the construction of the mega-city that will take up 26,500km of Saudi territory.
He began sharing social media posts rallying against the extravagant plans, before his two cousins and brother joined in the dissent.
The government claimed they were forced to “neutralise” Abdul after “he barricaded himself in his house” and threw “Molotov cocktails” at security forces.
‘EXTRAJUDICIAL EXECUTION’
His body remained in possession of authorities for several weeks before it was finally handed over to his family.
But reports citing eyewitness accounts claim the alleged stand-off was in fact an “extrajudicial execution”.
The case was closed by the government without releasing any further details – despite rumours they had offered to pay off respectable members of the community to slam Abdul’s actions.
It is estimated that 150 people from the 20,000-strong Howeitat tribe were arrested for voicing their anger against Neom.
In September, two members were sentenced to 50 years in prison and 50-year travel bans by Saudi Arabia’s Specialised Criminal Court.
Abdullah Aljuraywi, ALQST’s head of events, condemned the crackdown on freedom of speech and “cruel” punishment handed to the three tribesmen.
These shocking sentences once again show the Saudi authorities’ callous disregard for human rights.
ALQST
He fumed: “These shocking sentences once again show the Saudi authorities’ callous disregard for human rights, and the cruel measures they are prepared to take to punish members of the Huwaitat tribe for legitimately protesting against forced eviction from their homes.
“We condemn the sentences and call for their release.”
Despite promising to house five million people, Neom has been heavily criticised for booting out natives and its hefty price tag.
Prince bin Salman first unveiled the plans for the supercity in 2017 under the kingdom’s Vision 2030 development plan to reduce reliance on oil.
Neom will be powered by solar and wind and will be 17 times the size of London.
His Royal Highness, who is also chair of Neom’s board, wants to reinvent the nation’s economy and create thousands of jobs.
A £800billion sideways skyscraper that spans over 75miles long and will be taller than the Empire State Building will take centre stage.
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The mammoth project – dubbed the Mirror Line because it will be made out of mirrored glass – will be about the size of Massachusetts.
Neom is also set to have miles of greenery and homes and its own farms to feed the more than five million residents expected to fill it out.
AFPThe extravagant development is set to host the 2029 Asian Winter Games[/caption]
AFPNatives who speak out against Neom are promptly silenced by authorities[/caption]
