The Religious Policeman

Our much-loved Muttawa have attempted yet another religious "conversion".

Religious police tortured expatriate for "spreading Christianity".

June 9 (Compass) — An Indian national abducted and tortured 10 weeks ago by Saudi Arabia’s religious police for “spreading Christianity” remains jailed in Riyadh’s Al-Hair Prison without trial or even formal charges against him.

Brian Savio O’Connor, 36, was accosted on Al Massif street just outside his living quarters in the Mursalat district of Riyadh early on the evening of March 25. As he started down the street, a muttawa (member of the religious police) stopped him, asking harshly, “Why did you not attend ‘Salah’ [evening prayers]?”


Surprised, since shops along the street were already re-opening as their owners returned from Muslim prayers, O’Connor took out his Saudi identity card, proving that he was a Christian. When another three men came up and tried to grab his I.D. card, O’Connor ran back to a shop where he had seen a work acquaintance. But the group of men chased him into the shop, grabbing and beating him right there.

It doesn't get any better after that, in fact it gets worse. Upsetting stuff to read. One of his misfortunes, of course, is that he is an Indian National, and the Indian Government needs the Saudis more than vice versa. Not that it helps being a US or UK national, but they do tend to get listened to more readily.

If you know of any way to help this poor unfortunate (e.g. thru Amnesty?), then please do.