Release of Rizana Nafeek: Sri Lankan Attorney General and Saudi Government to jointly unravel legal implications

By K.T.Rajasingham

Kuwait, 19 October, (Asiantribune.com):

Prince Salman & President Rajapaksa

Saudi Arabian Government has indicated that the Attorney General of Sri Lanka should come to Saudi Arabia to discuss the legal issues connected with the release of the condemned Sri Lanka House Maid Rizana Nafeek, who is in the ‘Dead Row’ since July 2007 and in custody since May 2005. In September when Asian Tribune contacted President Mahinda Rajapaksa, he told that, “I have already send in an appeal for clemency and waiting for response from the Saudi Government. He also told Asian Tribune that he is working on the release of the Sri Lankan house maid, who has been condemned for murdering a 4 month old Saudi infant boy.
On 17th October President Mahinda Rajapaksa met with Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia on the sidelines of the Asia Corporate Dialogue Summit held in the Kuwait City.
Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, is presently the Vice Custodian of the Two Holy Mosque, Crown Prince, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of Saudi Arabia, as well as the most senior member of the House of Saud, next to the King of Saudi Arabia.
 Sri Lanka President came up with the subject of Housemaid Rizana Nafeek of Muthur, who has been condemned in Saudi Arabia.
Prince Salman, the Crown Prince who is expected to succeed the King of Saudi Arabia was earlier the Governor of Riyadh and he handled the files connected with the Sri Lankan House Maid Rizana Nafeek .
Sri Lankan President took a personal interest in the case of Rizana Nafeek.
In connection with the issue regarding the release of Rizana Nafeek, Saudi side has told the Sri Lankan delegation that met them, to send in Sri Lanka’s Attorney General to Saudi Arabia for further talks regarding the legal issues connected with the release of House Maid.
Earlier in May 21, 2011 when Minister Rishad Bathiyutheen met Prince Salman in his capacity as the Governor of Riyadh. In the meeting Asian Tribune learnt that Prince Salman has assured to Sri Lankan Minister, that Saudi Arabia will bear the entire amount connected with the blood money payment to the parents of the deceased 4 month old Saudi boy, in case they agreed to pardon the Sri Lankan Housemaid.
[Removed the content unrelated to Rizana Nafeek's issue-Prison notes]
Source: - Asian Tribune - http://www.asiantribune.com/news/2012/10/19/release-rizana-nafeek-sri-lankan-attorney-general-and-saudi-government-jointly-unrav Last viewed 19/10/2012 8.44