Saudi Court Imposes Eye Gouging Sentence

(Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) A Saudi Arabian court sentenced a 32-year-old Indian migrant worker, Puthen Veetil Abdul Latheef Noushad, to have his eye gouged out as punishment for blinding a Saudi man in a fight. Apparently, Noushad was working at a gas station when he got into a fight with a Saudi customer regarding the bill. The Saudi man lost his eyesight from injuries sustained in the fight.

Noushad claims he acted in self-defense but the Saudi court imposed the sentence anyway. An appeals court will review the case and, if the ruling is upheld, the Supreme Court will address the issue. Human Rights Watch has joined the fray, asking Saudi King Abdullah for clemency.

Under Saudi Arabia's interpretation of Islam, mutilation is an acceptable form of punishment. The loss of body parts is regularly specified by the courts. I think it's barbaric, however, I understand that it's proven to be quite effective in reducing recidivism. (via LGF)