Abdul Rahman al-Lahim

Abdul Rahman al-Lahim is a Saudi Arabian attorney active in the defense of the civil rights of Saudi citizens. [ Nathaniel Rosenblatt, Abdul Rahman al-Lahimm, Middle East Quarterly, Spring 2008, p. 96 ]

As a young man, al-Lahim was an Islamist, active in As-Sahwa al-Islamiyya. [ Washington Post, Dec. 23, 2006 ] [ The Economist, Nov. 13, 2007 ]

He became committed to civil rights while attending law school. [ Washington Post, Dec. 23, 2006 ] According to analysts of his work, al-Lahim is effective because "He not only crafts effective legal arguments, but he also understands the conservative forces that hold the gavel." [ Nathaniel Rosenblatt, Abdul Rahman al-Lahimm, Middle East Quarterly, Spring 2008, p. 96 ]

In 2004 he defended a high school teacher who had spoken out against terrorism from a punishment of 750 public lashes. al-Lahim was threatened with imprisonment for that defense, and was only released at the intervention of Crown Prince Abdullah. [ Arab News , Jeddah, Nov. 14, 2005 ]

He has defended the rape victim known as the "Qatif girl" form a sentence of 200 public lashes, and is at risk of disbarment for taking her case. [ New York times, Dec. 1, 2007 ]

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