Turkish barber who faced death sentence for slandering Mohammed has been freed
RIYADH, 4 June 2008 — The Turkish Embassy in Riyadh confirmed to Arab News yesterday that a Turkish barber who was facing the death penalty for allegedly slandering the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was released on Monday.
The case of another Turkish barber, Sabri Bogday, who was sentenced to death for the same offense 13 months ago, is still in the appeals process in a Jeddah court.
“Ersin Taze, who was arrested by Saudi authorities about 30 days ago for allegedly insulting the Prophet, has been released,” Turkish Ambassador Naci Koru said.
Following an appeal from the Turkish Embassy, Riyadh Gov. Prince Salman intervened in Taze’s case and asked local officials to expedite the legal process. The court subsequently dismissed the case for lack of evidence.