Saudi Arabia reportedly plans to sue a Twitter user who described the country's death sentencing for Palestinian poet Ashraf Fayadh as “ISIS-like." Fayadh was sentenced to death for apostasy—leaving one’s faith—on Nov. 17 by a court in Abha, according to Humans Rights Watch.
A justice ministry source told the newspaper Al-Riyadh that Saudi Arabia would not hesitate to bring "any media that slandered the religious judiciary of the Kingdom" to trial. According to the source, "[q]uestioning the fairness of the courts is to question the justice of the Kingdom and its judicial system based on Islamic law, which guarantees rights and ensures human dignity."
The Twitter user in question has not been identified, however the news has prompted others on the social media site to ridicule the Kingdom. The mockery has a more serious undertone, with many citing what they see as evidence that Daesh (ISIS) and Saudi have several common aspects within their justice systems and beyond.
The hashtag #SueMeSaudi is being used by those expressing this viewpoint and has quickly gained popularity. See some examples below, via Twitter.
Saudi Arabia.... Worse than ISIS ! #Murderers #Terrorists #SueMeSaudi pic.twitter.com/NyMiApamXm
— Michael Hotaling (@PatrickHenry269) November 28, 2015
Saudi Arabia is ISIS, but successful. #SueMeSaudi
— Lawrence Balter (@ElbowNYC) November 28, 2015
Amputation of hands and feet for theft. Death by stoning for adultery (unless a man - just lashes). All in common w/ #ISIS. #SueMeSaudi (2)
— Sam Hooshmand (@SamHooshmand) November 29, 2015
#SaudiArabia is not exactly like ISIS, its worse than ISIS, their beheaded count is twice that of ISIS so far this year #SueMeSaudi
— Darrell Booth (@DarrellBooth_) November 28, 2015
