Hacktivist group Anonymous has called out Saudi Arabia for its horrific human rights record by attacking the Persian Gulf kingdom’s government websites. The attack is in response to the upholding of a death sentence handed down to 17-year-old Mohammed al-Nimr.
Earlier in September, Nimr’s final appeal to the Saudi courts was dismissed, and his sentence of death by crucifixion for alleged anti-government activities in 2012 can now be carried out at any moment.
“Ali Mohammed al-Nimr, an innocent young teenage boy has been sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia and we will not stand by and watch,” Anonymous said in a statement directed at Saudi Arabia, RT reports.
The hacktivist group called for Nimr’s release, adding that he had been denied a lawyer and subjected to torture. “Campaigners also claim he was forced to sign a confession, which has formed the basis of the case against him … Now, with all legal avenues exhausted, Ali could be crucified at any moment.”
Anonymous announced that it began #OpNimr by attacking government websites and taking them offline. “We hope you listen to us this time and release the young man. You will be treated as a virus and we are the cure.”
The UN has called the trial “short of international standards” and asked Saudi Arabia to halt the execution. Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, have alleged that Nirm was tortured and forced to confess to some of the charges.
