Recent reports suggest that Saudi authorities may have sanctioned the use of lethal force to evict villagers from a tribe in Saudi Arabia to make way for The Line, a key component of the $500 billion Neom project.
According to a former intelligence officer, Rabih Alenezi, one villager was shot and killed during protests against the eviction.
Alenezi disclosed that he received an order in April 2020 to clear the village of al-Khuraybah, mostly inhabited by the Huwaitat tribe, and was directed to use lethal force against those who resisted eviction.
The Neom project is a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 strategy, aimed at diversifying the kingdom's economy away from oil.
The Line, envisioned as a car-free city, spans 170 kilometers in length, with construction reportedly lagging behind schedule.
While numerous global companies, including several British firms, are involved in the construction of Neom, human rights groups have raised concerns about the displacement of local communities to make way for the project. Over 6,000 people have been relocated, and entire villages have been demolished to clear land.
While the Saudi government and Neom management have declined to comment on the allegations, a source familiar with Saudi intelligence corroborated Alenezi's testimony.
Although the reports could not independently verify the claims about the use of lethal force, there are UN and ALQST reports to suggest that at least 47 other villagers were detained for resisting evictions, with many facing terror-related charges. Of those detained, 40 remain in custody, including five on death row.
Some were arrested for mourning al-Huwaiti's death on social media.
The displacement of local communities to make way for a project that aims to benefit the economy raises questions about the ethical implications of such developments.
The alleged use of lethal force is a particularly concerning issue, and it is essential to investigate the matter fully to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
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foreign