published17. August 2022, 04:50
open letterSuperstar Lionel Messi is to save the life of a Saudi sentenced to death
The deal as a Saudi Arabian tourism ambassador brought great criticism to superstar Lionel Messi. Now he is supposed to use his influence in Saudi Arabia to save a young man’s life.
The Argentine is criticized for this ambassadorial role.
AFP
Now Messi is supposed to save a young Saudi from death.
AFP
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Lionel Messi has been Saudi Arabia’s Tourism Ambassador for a few months.
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Now the superstar is supposed to help a man sentenced to death.
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The accused’s family contacted Messi with an open letter.
Two games, two victories and two goals – superstar Lionel Messi got off to a good start at Paris Saint-Germain. Especially in the 5-0 win at Clermont Foot last week, the Argentinian, who fell short of expectations last season, almost shone like in the best Barça days.
A controversial project by Messi away from the football field is less glamorous. The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has been Saudi Arabia’s official tourism ambassador since last May. A country that is constantly criticized for human rights violations.
Arrested while bowling
Executions are the order of the day in the desert state. And this fate also threatens Mohammed al-Faraj. The then 15-year-old was arrested in 2017 while bowling with friends for taking part in rallies. The allegation is: alleged crimes once morest the Saudi government.
According to al-Faraj’s family, the teenager was taken to an adult prison, where he was interrogated and then tortured. The public prosecutor responsible finally pleaded for the highest possible sentence, the death penalty.
Family open letter to Messi
According to a recent report by the Times, the accused’s family members are now attempting in an open letter to help Messi save the man sentenced to death. “We ask for your attention, we ask you to alleviate the plight of our beloved Mohammed, who was taken from us as a child, as much as possible,” the letter said.
The al-Farajs further describe how guards beat, kicked and tied up Mohammed for several hours in prison. The horror of what happened knows no bounds. “How might you treat a child so cruelly and ruthlessly?” Writes the family with a desperate undertone.
Ronaldo rejected Saudi offer
In football, Messi has often helped his teams out of seemingly hopeless situations, now it’s up to him to save Mohammed from death. “As a Saudi Arabian tourism ambassador, you have a lot of influence. Use it to save a young man’s life.”
The football superstar himself has not yet spoken out on the matter. However, criticism of Messi’s involvement in Saudi Arabia was already voiced in February, when human rights organizations sounded the alarm and warned that the Saudi regime was misusing Messi’s name to promote its image. According to media reports, the Saudis actually wanted to win Cristiano Ronaldo as a tourism ambassador before the PSG striker. However, he canceled despite an offer of 5.7 million francs.