Saudi Arabia: EU needs immediately review diplomatic relations wiith barbaric Saudi Arabia following mass executions

Saudi Arabia: Barbaric Behavior

The executions took place in 12 cities across Saudi Arabia. Firing squads were employed in four prisons, while the others were carried out via beheadings.

The bodies were then displayed in public places, the most severe form of punishment available under Sharia Islamic law.

The four Shi’ites, including al-Nimr, were convicted of shooting and petrol bomb attacks which killed several police officers during anti-government protests in the Qatif district of Riyadh between 2011-2013.

Thousands of militant Islamists were detained after the 2003-06 al-Qaeda attacks. Hundreds have been convicted.

Hundreds of members of the Shi’ite minority were detained after the 2011-13 protests.

This is the biggest mass execution for security reasons in Saudi Arabia since 1980, when 83 jihadist rebels were executed for taking over Mecca’s Grand Mosque in 1979.

Commentators say a secondary aim is about discouraging Saudi nationals from engaging in jihadism.

Note EU-Digest: there is no excuse possible at all for this barbaric behavior of Saudi Arabia which shows complete disrespect for basic human rights. The EU should immediately review their diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia  In addition, having Saudi Arabia head-up an Islamic group of Nations to combat ISIS is like putting Dracula in charge of a blood bank. The EU can not and may not accept this barbaric behavior or participate with Saudi Arabia in any of their political schemes. Weapon deliveries from the EU to Saudi Arabia should also be halted immediately.

Read more: Europe Saudi Arabia’s biggest mass execution in 35 years | euronews, world news

Cuba: EU’s foreign policy chief to visit Cuba as ties with West warm

The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, is to visit Cuba this month in the latest sign of warming relations between the Communist-ruled island and the West. 

Mogherini, a former Italian foreign minister, will visit Havana on March 23 to 24 to discuss developments in the country and prospects for EU-Cuba cooperation, the EU said in a statement on Saturday. 

She will be the most senior EU official to visit Cuba in recent years, and the trip comes as both the 28-nation EU and the United States have made diplomatic overtures to the island.

“Cuba is facing a very interesting period and the European Union is keen to see how we can take the relationship forward with strong momentum,” Mogherini said in a statement.

Read more: Americas - EU’s foreign policy chief to visit Cuba as ties with West warm - France 24