Man faces execution in Saudi Arabia on witchcraft charges

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — An international human rights group has urged a Saudi court to overturn a death sentence imposed on a Lebanese man convicted of practicing witchcraft.

Human Rights Watch has urged the Saudi government in a statement released late Tuesday to halt the increasing use vaguely defined “witchcraft” charges.

Ali Sibat, a psychic who made predictions on a satellite TV channel from his home in Beirut, was sentenced by a Saudi court on Nov. 9. He was arrested in Medina in May 2008 by members of the religious police who recognized him from the TV show.

Witchcraft, sorcery and fortune-telling are considered polytheism by the government of this deeply religious Muslim country.

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