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Yemeni Jewish Commuinty Protests Verdict In Murder Trial

By Howard M. Friedman

Yesterday's Yemen Times reports that the Jewish community in Amran, Yemen is unhappy with the outcome of the murder trial of Abdul-Aziz Al-Abdi, a Muslim and a former Air Force pilot. Last year, Al-Abdi sent a letter to the Jewish community warning that he would kill them unless they either converted to Islam or left the country. Al-Abdi then shot and killed Masha al-Nahari. The court ruled that Al-Abdi, who previously murdered his wife, should be committed to a mental institution, and that Al-Abdi's family should pay YR 5.5 million ($27,480 US) as compensation to the family of the murder victim. The Amran Jewish community has issued a statement calling for a reversal of the verdict and the imposition of the death penalty instead-- even though Al-Abdi's family has threatened more killing of Jews if the death penalty were imposed. Human rights advocates say the verdict will increase hatred against Jews and some believe it will push the remaining Jews in Yemen to leave for Israel.

Full post as published by Religion Clause on March 05, 2009 (boomark / email).