Canada, Saudi Arabia discussing prisoner

OTTAWA, Dec. 26 (UPI) -- Canadian officials say they have initiated talks with officials in Saudi Arabia regarding a Canadian national scheduled for execution in that country.

The Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed officials from both sides are discussing 23-year-old Mohamed Kohail, who was accused along with his 17-year-old brother of killing a Syrian student nearly two years ago, The Globe and Mail said Thursday.

Canadian officials are attempting to stop an execution order against Kohail over the death of Munzer al-Haraki. An appeal of the sentence was unsuccessful, but it is still pending approval from the Supreme Judicial Council and King Abdallah.

"Our ambassador in Saudi Arabia is fully engaged, as are senior ... officials in Ottawa. Consular officials have been actively providing assistance and support and remain in regular contact with the Kohail family and their legal counsel," Lisa Monette, spokesman for Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade said.

The Globe and Mail said the international talks come as Kohail's brother, Sultan, is preparing to face a similar sentence when his case is heard in Saudi Arabia.