A Saudi judge postponed on Monday the trial of three leading activists, whose case has put the kingdom’s stuttering political reforms in the spotlight, after a standoff over whether the trial should be held in public.
Dozens of supporters and relatives of Abdullah al-Hamed, Matruk al-Faleh, and Ali al-Dumaini were barred from entering the Riyadh courtroom despite what they said was an unprecedented promise by the judge two months ago that hearings would be open.
Criticism of monarchy
The three men—who are being represented by two lawyers—were arrested in March over their calls for Saudi Arabia’s absolute monarchy to move towards a constitutional model.
Their arrest drew criticism from the United States, which has pushed for change in the kingdom since the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, carried out by mainly Saudi hijackers.
“They were brought to the court from prison and forced to sit down. No one was allowed in,” Ali Ghadhami, a reformist sympathizer, told reporters outside the courtroom.
“After they refused to be tried (in a closed session) the judge agreed to allow two people in for each defendant. They rejected this mockery of openness,” he said.
It was the third time the trial has stalled. In August supporters of the men surged into the courtroom shouting “reform, reform.” Last week the accused refused to attend a closed session set by the judge at less than 24 hours notice.
Abdulaziz Wohaiby, a lawyer who supports the three men, said if they refuse to cooperate at the next hearing the judge may sentence them in absentia.
Hamed is a former university professor who has been jailed several times by Saudi authorities. Faleh is a doctor of political science and Dumaini is a liberal author and poet.
All three took part in drafting reform petitions presented to de facto ruler Crown Prince Abdullah. They were rounded up with nine others protestors, most of whom were later released.
Reforms in limbo
They face charges including causing instability, collecting signatures for petitions and criticizing the kingdom’s political establishment, as well as exploiting Saudi Arabia’s 17-month battle with militants for political gain, Wohaiby said.
Under pressure from inside and abroad to grant some popular participation, Saudi Arabia has said it will hold its first nationwide elections next year when Saudis will have a chance to vote for partially-elected municipal councils.
Advocates of reform say the elections will be of little value if the government continues to clamp down on dissent.
Last month the cabinet warned civil servants they face disciplinary measures, including loss of their jobs, if they criticize state policies, collect or sign political petitions.
“It shows these reforms still need to be fought for,” Wohaiby told Reuters. “The environment here is not ready to accept everything the men are asking for.”