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Canadian facing death saudi arabia set free

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   http://www.cbc.ca/stories/2003/08/08/williamsampson030808

http://www.cbc.ca/stories/2003/08/08/williamsampson030808

Canadian facing death in Saudi Arabia set free
Last Updated Sat, 09 Aug 2003 13:39:46
LONDON - William Sampson, the Vancouver man who has been under threat of death in a Saudi jail for more than two years, has been set free.

Sampson, who was convicted on bombing-related charges, was granted clemency by Saudi King Fahd and freed from prison on Thursday.

Prime Minister Jean Chrétien welcomed the release. Chrétien said he wanted to "express my sympathy for Mr. Sampson and his family, both of whom endured extreme hardship during his captivity."

He said the release was due to the diligent efforts of a number of politicians, as well as "the co-operation of King Fahd and the Saudi government ..."

Sampson and his five British co-accused flew to London Friday afternoon.

"We are delighted to be home. We would like to thank everyone for their support," they said in a statement. "We hope everyone will understand we now need some time and space with our families. We are not yet ready to speak to the media. We will be in touch."

Earlier, Sampson's cousin reported that, "The family… is very, very pleased that Billy is being released after 2˝ years in solitary confinement."

Sampson's family believes that during that period he was tortured and said they have the medical records to prove it.

Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham told reporters in Toronto that it is still not known if Sampson was mistreated in jail, but if so, Canada would be prepared to assist the family "with any claims to indemnity."

Sampson, who holds dual Canadian-British citizenship, and five Britons were convicted of carrying out several bombings in 2000 and 2001.


Sampson was sentenced to death by Saudi authorities, as was British citizen Alexander Mitchell. The method of their execution would likely have been public beheading.

One of the survivors of the Saudi bombings, David Brown, said he's surprised and pleased that Sampson and the Britons have been released.

Sampson's lawyer and family had been pursuing an appeal in Saudi Arabia's highest court to have him released.

His family had argued that the taped confessions of three of the men, which were shown on Saudi television, were coerced.

Western diplomats have suggested the bombings were carried out by Muslim extremists and the charges against the men were laid in an effort to cover up the activities of such groups inside Saudi Arabia.

The Saudis said the men were involved in an alcohol bootlegging ring, and the bombings were part of a turf war.

Written by CBC News Online staff



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