However, the family also has the right to waive punishment altogether or ask for diya, blood money. This is what happened in the case of Lucille McLauchlin and Deborah Parry, two British nurses convicted of murdering a colleague in 1998 and looting her bank account. Their sentences were commuted and they were allowed to return home after the diya was paid. Their case attracted international diplomatic and media attention. Many of the foreigners executed do not have this advantage, nor do ordinary Saudis.
Saudi officials say the country's laws are fair and allow suspects all their rights.
International human rights organizations say prisoners in the kingdom are routinely held incommunicado and prevented from contacting relatives or lawyers. They are also maltreated while in custody. Amnesty International quotes the case of Roger Cortez, a Filipino who was arrested on murder charges and held in jail for 2 years. His interrogators slapped his ears and pushed his face against the wall, says a report by the human rights organization. He was also beaten and kicked while wearing handcuffs and shackles, and threatened with a baseball bat.