Pictures from an execution

The Religious Policeman on a likely execution scheduled for this Thursday.

[I]t will no doubt take place outside the major mosque in Asir, after midday prayers. Now there will be tremendous pressure on the dead man's family to forgive her, possibly including visits by princes and regional governors. They could pardon her at any time up to the moment when the executioner raises his sword. So you can guarantee that with all this public interest, the place will look like a soccer cup final, from young children thru to old grannies. Either way it's high drama for the audience; there may be a pardon and tearful reconciliation, or else a swift and bloody conclusion. There'll be no chance for a dignified end for the young lady concerned, in some quiet corner of a prison. This one is played out in full public view. What is even worse these days, the combination of Saudi medieval brutality with 21st century technology means that there'll be lots of mpgs's in circulation from cameras and camera phones. There's a thought next time they broadcast one of those commercials on TV showing what a modern and civilized place Saudi Arabia is.