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uniform nor authorized documentation, the delegates entered the stadium. The
electricity had been switched off and the power supply room locked, but the Jehovah's
Witnesses continued the congress with a portable generator. It was further alleged
that, on the Saturday morning, the 1,000 delegates were evicted from their
accommodation. Finally, on the afternoon of the 24 July 2004, the stadium
administration played loud music to disrupt the congress and then, with the help of
security guards, forced the delegates to disperse. After a brief meeting, a committee of
Jehovah's Witness leaders decided to cancel the congress in order to avoid further
trouble.
Observations
205. The Special Rapporteur is grateful to the Government of the Russian
Federation for its detailed replies. She takes this opportunity to remind the
Government that there has been a long-standing request from the mandate, including
her last letter of 31 August 2004, for an invitation to visit the country.
Saudi Arabia
Communications and replies received
206. On 14 June 2004, the Special Rapporteur sent a communication to the
Government of Saudi Arabia regarding the situation of Brian Savio O’Connor, a
Catholic citizen of India, who was reportedly arrested in Riyadh on 25 March 2004
because of his faith. Officially accused of using drugs and praying to Jesus Christ, Mr.
O'Connor was allegedly arrested by the Mutawa, the Saudi religious police, and taken
to the Ali Hira prison in Riyadh, where he was threatened with death if he did not
convert to Islam. During his detention, Mr. O’Connor was also reportedly subjected to
torture. At the time of the communication, it was reported that he was detained in the
Olaya prison.
By letter dated 12 August 2004, the Government of Saudi Arabia expressed its
astonishment at this unsubstantiated and exaggerated allegation, which was reportedly
first published in an official Vatican newspaper on 2 June 2004 and subsequently
referred to the Office of the High Commissioner in spite of its inadmissibility as a
concrete and credible complaint. The Government indicated that it was evident that
this allegation was totally unrealistic as no person living in Saudi Arabia had ever
been subjected to duress with a view to inducing him to change his religion. However,
it was not unprecedented for a foreign worker in the Kingdom to attempt to evade
punishment for a criminal offence by falsely claiming to have been victimized,
prosecuted and discriminated against on account of his religious belief.
207. By letter dated 14 December 2004, the Government provided the Special
Rapporteur with additional information on the case of Brian Savio O’Connor. Mr.
O’Connor had been apprehended in flagrante delicto while selling alcoholic beverages
and was also found to have sold pornographic video tapes, some of which were found
in his possession. These not only constitute criminal acts under the provisions of the
Islamic Shari’a, but are also violations of the Residence Regulations applicable in the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He was therefore referred to the courts for determination of
the appropriate legal penalty, following the enforcement of which he would be