To report an update on Ali Hussein Sibat? status: according to his lawyer (May 12th), he is alive, but no new developments in his case. I would keep you posted only when this situation would change, hopefully for the better.
Paul

Deb wrote:
BTW - Another astrologer sent me this link, and it does seem worth including here: a 1979 newspaper report of the Saudi Arabian Oil Minister, Sheikh Zaki Yamani, being himself an astrologer who "never makes a decision without consulting his charts". According to him "Saudi Arabia is a Virgo, almost on the cusp of Libra".

http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1144

it is extremely interesting that one of the sole personalities responsible for the shaping of international oil policy to this day is a practicing astrologer!
the man's historical involvement is extraordinary!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahmed_Zaki_Yamani

Good news, finally: The Supreme Court in Riyadh refused to endorse the death sentence issued by a court in Madinah against convicted Lebanese astrologer Ali Sibat, saying the man's offense did not warrant such a harsh punishment.

More on this story (which has not been followed by media as one would wish): http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article187196.ece

I do not want to be a false prophet (no pun intended), but when compared with other similar tragic stories http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/?sk ... 9184557790" it has been obvious that the amount of public pressure (a foreign one in this case) has made the difference (we make them rich by buying their oil). It is a bit scary when you consider that it takes only few clicks of your mouse : how much time we allow ourselves to spend on it, how deep do you wanna go, how many stories=lives do you want to follow.

It would be wrong to underestimate "the somewhat more enlightened (please notice it is on quote marks) power of The Supreme Court in Riyadh", as opposed to decisions made on regional levels. Those are always very dogmatic and militant from a point of view of a western observer. Obviously,there is a better chance for anybody (who would be charged with something we would consider as "unthinkable") to be judged by the Supreme Court. This should serve as a guide for any further cases, I think. However, do not expect " the usual sanity of your friendly district judge".

Paul Paral