Prince Charles visited Saudi Arabia this week; one of several high-profile visitors to the kingdom in recent weeks, following separate trips by John Kerry and US Attorney General Eric Holder. Most repressive states usually try to behave when hosting Western dignitaries – but not the Saudis.
Despite all these visits, the country executed seven men by firing squad for a robbery committed while they were still juveniles. One had originally been sentenced to death by crucifixion although King Abdullah intervened to bring his sentence in line with that of his peers. Then, courts in Riyadh also handed draconian prison sentences to two founders of the Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association. Both were given 10 year sentences along with five year travel bans on their release. The government had told Qahtani and Hamed they would be spared custodial sentences if they agreed to dissolve ACPRA and stop campaigning for human rights.
Get Britain's best politics newsletters
Register to get The Spectator's insight and opinion straight to your inbox. You can then read two free articles each week.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Comments
Join the debate for just £1 a month
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for £3.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just £1 a monthAlready a subscriber? Log in