Saudi Arabian woman executed for "sorcery"

Looking through magnifying glass at Saudi Arabia on a globe / CBS

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia - Saudi authorities have executed a woman convicted of practicing magic and sorcery.

The Saudi Interior Ministry says in a statement the execution took place Monday, but gave no details on the woman's crime.

The London-based al-Hayat daily, however, quoted Abdullah al-Mohsen, chief of the religious police who arrested the woman, as saying she had tricked people into thinking she could treat illnesses, charging them $779 per session.

The paper said a female investigator followed up, and the woman was arrested in April 2009, and later convicted in a Saudi court.

It did not give the woman's name, but said she was in her 60s.

The execution brings the total to 76 this year in Saudi Arabia, according to an Associated Press count. At least three have been women.

Her case wasn't the first death penalty for practicing witchcraft. The kingdom follows a strict version of Islamic law that bans sorcery. Though dozens of people are arrested each year for practicing magic, the last known execution before 2011 was of an Egyptian pharmacist convicted in 2007.

Sorcery in Saudi Arabia also made headlines when Lebanese TV psychic Ali Sibat was arrested by Saudi religious police in May 2008 when he made a religious pilgrimage in the country. He sentenced to execution by beheading in Nov. 2009 for similar charges, but reports say he has yet to be executed.

[geni1499]

I AM SENDING PRAYERS TO THIS FAMILY, ALL THOSE INVOLDED INDIRECTLY OR DIRECTLY THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT FILLS THEM WITH KNOWLEDGE COMPASSION AND UNDERSTAND AND ALSO PEACE, I PRAY FOR THE INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE BEEN EFFECTED BY THIS THAT THEY TOO MAY FIND PEACE AND SHELTER AMONG THE HARDEST TIMES, I REQUEST THAT EVER CHRISTIAN SAY A PRAYER FOR ALL OF THESE PEOPLE. IN JESUS NAME I PRAY.. AMEN

[BDF1944]

Christians in Europe and America persecuted people routinely, particularly women, for witchcraft and sorcery 400-600 years ago. Islam is still evolving and trying to catch up.

[SnowyKat]

If ever this proves how backwards and mired in their prehistoric past these Middle-Eastern countries are, this is proof in a nutshell.. This old women probably did nobody any harm in her life and wasn't a threat to anyone or anything but was still considered to be a 'valueless' human being by her government! This speaks volumes for it's disdain of Human Rights.. The fact that we, as a country, deal with Saudi Arabia on a daily basis as an 'ally' doesn't speak much for OUR hypocrisy on the subject either!

[jimprw]

Unfortunately, we have to face the fact that our government - and by association our people - value oil over humans or human rights. We'll speak up for human rights as long as the price to us isn't too high.

[pahleeze]

I really can't believe how many truley stupid people exist on this planet and how many of them make up the rules for the rest of us. Trust and compassion aren't dominate genetic traits I guess.

[euge005]

She likely wore make up or some other horrible offense. But from the story, I could see malpractice at least. But I think they have socialized medicine so why would anyone go to a quack over there? Those people would be dumb enough to vote for one of the GOP losers that want to be our President.

[tsigili]

Yeah, sure. They just love to abuse women in that country.

[Henri_Rochard]

"...she had tricked people into thinking she could treat illnesses, charging them $779 per session..."

To be honest, this could pertain to any number of charlatans in the U.S.

If a charlatan causes a victim to refuse sound medical treatment resulting in a preventable death, then what punishment is too severe?

Didn't the blessed Steve Jobs follow 'alternative medicine' at a time when conventional medical treatment would've been better. (Jobs DID eventually use conventional medical treatment, but by then it was too late.)

[bilrobi1]

I'm pretty sure that if some "Christians" had there way they would still be burning people at the stake. It is fortunate that the laws of this nation prohibit such actions. There are many "Christians" who feel it's okay persecute people that are Gay or simply not "Christian" enough. Remember the witch burnings and the Inquisition were both faith based movements.

[jimprw]

There are always going to be radical religious practitioners. You sound like one of them. The beautiful thing about living in a free country is you are entitled to your views. Your comment has no relevance to this topic. Our country isn't run by radical Christians. We don't execute people for having different or even radical views. We have laws protecting individual rights. Huge difference.

[jimprw]

These middle eastern countries really have stagnated in evolutionary development for about the last 1000 years. They are basically the same male-oriented societies that existed in Biblical times. Freedom is not a word in their collective vocabulary. Medieval best describes their society with the exception that the rich there do employ modern technology. The wind of change is blowing, however, because the masses are exposed to modern communications technology and can share ideas and instruments for change, modernization and individual freedoms. We've see the results in Egypt and Libya and there are heavy undercurrents of revolution in Syria and Iran. The Saudis are only able to retain a hold on their people by their economic standing and, essentially, buying off the populace to retain their political throne. Once the oil is gone or no longer needed, this society will revert back to the medieval sands they inhabit. Essentially the mid-east is an armpit of civilization. Third world all the way.

[Dianna-Rene]

Can you just imagine what would happen to Penn and Teller, Lance Burton, David Copperfield? --- Bloodbath! Just goes to show, some can hire the most skilled and imaginative architects in the world, build spellbinding ivory towers reaching high into the clouds --- and still have goats in the lobby.

[euge005]

Goats, women, both occupy the same plce in their value structure, jusy amother useful animal to have around.