Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court has refused to ratify the death sentence of a Lebanese psychic convicted of practicing witchcraft in a case that has outraged international human rights groups.

A three-judge panel said in its ruling on Thursday there was not enough evidence that Ali Sibat’s actions harmed others. The judges ordered the case to be retried in a Medina court and recommended that the sentence be commuted and that Sibat be deported.

The charges in Sibat’s case seem to centre on a call-in talk show he hosted on a Lebanese satellite TV station where he would tell fortunes and give advice. His supporters point out that the show was aired from Lebanon, not Saudi Arabia.   »»» NineMSN.com (Australia)

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