A judge at a correctional facility in Jeddah has banished a 17-year-old youth for one year from the Jeddah Governorate for committing adultery with an unmarried person. In addition, the youth would also get 100 lashes. However, the young man's family is protesting, saying the decision is too harsh. According to informed judicial sources, the youth agreed to the verdict and the judge gave him the choice to choose his destination. The judge also gave him time to consult with his family. The judge sentenced the youth after he admitted his guilt. According to the sources, if the youth selects a governorate far away from Jeddah, the judge will send a letter to the police in that governorate to make sure the young man reports twice a day and signs an attendance sheet. The youth's father, who declined to give his name, was surprised at the verdict. He said the penalty was too harsh: “I will not allow my son to leave alone for another governorate, which is at least 300 km from Jeddah. I wish my son had been kept in the correction house instead of being banished but I will do my best [to appeal] at the judicial authorities.” He argued that his son was too young to determine the consequences of his confession, which necessitated a Hadd punishment (non-physical punishment) according to the Shariah. “Moreover, admitting his guilt deprived him of appealing the verdict. I'm calling on the National Society for Human Rights (NSHR) to intervene in this case,” he said. Dr. Omar Al-Khouli, legal adviser for the NSHR, said the verdict is irrevocable because the defendant admitted his guilt and agreed to his conviction at the court. Therefore, there was no chance to change the verdict, except to go to the High Court. He said seeking the help of the NSHR was futile because the society cannot intervene in judicial decisions.
