The Case of Mohamed Cheikh Ould M'khaitir
Case Law- Country
- Country Location
Latitude: 21.00789
Longitude: -10.940835
- Country Location (linked Case Law)
- Mauritania
- Decision Date
- Apr 21, 2016
- Case Status
- On Appeal
- Case Outcome (Procedural)
- Affirmed Lower Court
- Case Outcome (Disposition)
- Sanctions (Imprisonment and/or Fine)
- Keywords
- Apostasy
- Death penalty
- Religion
- Judicial Body
- Appellate Court
- Case Number
- N/A
- Case Summary
Mohamed Cheikh Ould M'khaitir, a blogger and journalist, was arrested on January 2, 2014 for publishing an article on maringalized populations in Mauritania that was critical of their treatment and religious oppression. He was sentenced to death for the crime of apostasy. On 3 November 2017, following a demonstration inciting to kill M'kheitir, the court of appeals reduced his sentence to two years in prison. In June of 2019, he was confirmed to have been released. In October, the Associated Foreign Press reported he was residing in Bordeaux, France in exile over fear of his safety.
- Case Significance
The decision establishes a binding or persuasive precedent within its jurisdiction.
- Related Law
- Source URL
- Columbia Global Freedom of Expression
- Notes
Further sources: https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-africa-41926318
https://www.voanews.com/a/africa_mauritanian-blogger-says-elite-abusing-religion-cling-power/6177744.html
- Collection
- SMEX