Saudi Judge Pursues Spine-Cutting

A Saudi judge is reportedly asking hospitals whether they can sever the spinal cord of a man found guilty of paralyzing another man in a fight. The victim lost his foot and was left paralyzed after a fight that, according to his brother, involved a meat cleaver. The attacker has already received seven months’ imprisonment, but the victim has requested the judge impose an equivalent retribution punishment on his attacker. Meanwhile, Amnesty International is urging Saudi Arabia to not go through with the punishment, saying it would constitute torture. According to Islamic law in Saudi Arabia, retribution punishments can include eye-gouging and beheading.