Saudi Arabian King considers President’s appeal [November 16 2010]

King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia has taken the initial steps towards a reprieve for Rizana Nafeek, following a personal appeal made by President Mahinda Rajapaksa to the Saudi King to grant clemency to Rizana, who found guilty for killing an infant.

She, who is currently on the death row in Saudi Arabia convicted for strangling a baby in her care, was 17-years old at the time of the incident, and claims it was an accident in which the baby choked while being bottle-fed. The Supreme Court in Riyadh confirmed her death sentence last month.

The Sri Lankan External Affairs Ministry’s Consular Chief Somadasa Wijeysundera has said that King Abdullah has directed officials to meet with the parents of the deceased infant for whom Rizana worked.

He said that the King’s actions come as a response to the plea from the Sri Lankan President Rajapakse to grant the girl clemency,emphasizing that discreet diplomatic efforts were underway to secure her release,