Prince pardoned

last updated 8 January 2015

Riyadh

A Saudi prince who killed a man was saved from beheading this week when the father of his victim forgave him at the last minute. Prince Fahd bin Nayef, 19, who gunned down 15-year-old Mundir al-Qadi in an argument two years ago, was brought blindfolded to a public square. As the executioner prepared his sword, Nayef shouted, “For the sake of God, please spare my life.” Suleiman al-Qadi, Mundir’s father, was standing in the crowd of spectators and relented when he heard the plea. “It was a big shock,” said Saudi justice official Ibrahim al-Shathry, “since al-Qadi and his brothers had told the officials to make sure the execution was carried out.” In Saudi Arabia, a crime victim’s family has the power to pardon the accused.