Mauritania: Clerics want Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ould Mkhaitir executed

Clerics in Mauritania have asked for the death penalty to be enforced in the case of Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ould Mkhaitir, a blogger who was found guilty of apostasy in January of 2014.

Mkhaitir was taken to court after publishing a blog entry in which he criticized the injustice of the Mauritanian caste system which uses religion to discriminate against certain ethnic groups, including the Haratins or the “black moors” as known in Mauritania; a group that is still confronted with the everyday realities of slavery. Mkhaitir was convicted of apostasy for allegedly insulting the Prophet Muhammad. However, not only has he denied having any intention to do so, but he has also repented for what was said in the article and asked Mauritania’s Supreme Court for mercy. The Supreme Court can pardon Mkhaitir if it deems his repentance sincere.

The body of clerics deny Mkhaitir’s repentance and ask for the death penalty

The Forum of Imams and Ulemas has refused to consider Mkhaitir’s plea for mercy. It has called instead for his execution according to the “law of God”. Its statement on the matter says: “”Kill him and bury him in conformity with the law of God”. However, Human rights groups are mobilizing in support of Mkhaitir’s plea and campaigning for his release. Freedom Now has stated that there was a number of procedural irregularities that jeopardized the integrity of his trial. Besides, three of his lawyers had to resign from the case after receiving numerous threats to their lives. Mauritania’s Supreme Court is due to make its decision on Tuesday. (BBC)