Forum: Appellate Committee of the House of Lords, United Kingdom
INTERIGHTS' role: Amicus curiae
Keywords: Torture, cruel or inhuman treatment, state immunity, remedies
Four British citizens, Ron Jones, Alexander Mitchell, Dr William Sampson and Leslie Walker were falsely accused of involvement in a bombing campaign in Riyadh in 2001 and 2002, a campaign now understood to have been launched by a Saudi opposition group. During their time in prison, all of the victims allege that they were repeatedly tortured and all continue to endure severe psychological and physical harm as a result. Ron Jones was released after 67 days without any charge or any legitimate reason for his detention. Following two and half years in solitary confinement and being subjected to torture Mitchell, Sampson and Walker made televised false confessions to the bombings and to acting as spies under the orders of the UK government. After a secret trial, a Saudi Court sentenced Mitchell and Sampson to death by partial beheading and Walker to 18 years in prison. Following worldwide protests and more than 900 days in captivity they were eventually released on an order of clemency.
The claims were for damages including aggravated and exemplary damages for torture, assault and battery, trespass to the person, and unlawful imprisonment against the Saudi officials said to be responsible for these crimes, and the Saudi Ministry of the Interior, the principal government agency responsible for the treatment of prisoners and detainees.
INTERIGHTS intervened in the case together with REDRESS, Amnesty International and Justice. Keir Starmer QC, Peter Morris and Laura Dubinksy of Doughty Street Chambers and Raju Bhatt of Bhatt Murphy Solicitors acted on a pro bono basis for the intervenors.
Related links
Press Release: [14 June 2007] UK House of Lords Upholds State Immunity for Torture
INTERIGHTS' amicus curiae brief
Judgment of the Appellate Committee of the House of Lords
The Guardian: Victims lose Saudi torture case
