Saudi diplomat seeking asylum: 'My life is in danger' (gay and friends with Jews)

[IndianaGreen]

Source: MSNBC

Saudi diplomat seeking asylum: 'My life is in danger'

Envoy says he fears persecution if he leaves the U.S. and returns home

By Michael Isikoff
Investigative correspondent

NBC News
updated less than 1 minute ago

A ranking Saudi diplomat told NBC News that he has asked for political asylum in the United States, saying he fears for his life if he is forced to return to his native country.

The diplomat, Ali Ahmad Asseri, the first secretary of the Saudi consulate in Los Angeles, has informed U.S. Department of Homeland Security officials that Saudi officials have refused to renew his diplomatic passport and effectively terminated his job after discovering he was gay and was close friends with a Jewish woman.

In a recent letter that he posted on a Saudi website, Asseri angrily criticized his country’s “backwardness” as well as the role of “militant imams” in Saudi society who have “defaced the tolerance of Islam.” Perhaps most provocatively of all, he has threatened to expose what he describes as politically embarrassing information about members of the Saudi royal family living in luxury in the U.S.

If he is forced to go back to Saudi Arabia — as Saudi officials are demanding — Asseri says he could face political persecution and even death.

Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39118941/ns/world_news-mideastn_africa/

[mitchtv]

1. Good luck to him

he'll need it, lots of it.

[ZombieHorde]

2. Recommended. nt

[RetiredTrotskyite]

3. K&R

He will need lots and lots of luck and I do wish him that. He definitely should NOT be forced to return to Saudi Arabia!

[terrya]

4. I'm not holding my breath that the administration will do the right thing here.

Ali Ahmad Asseri is gay. That's not a big deal for this White House.

[mitchtv]

5. Maybe he is friendly with Hillary

being a diplomat and all

[Mimosa]

6. He must be granted asylum.

No ifs, ands or buts.

[bullwinkle428]

7. Too late to rec, but I sure hope he can achieve asylum in the U.S.!