nothing justifies what happened to that kid. i'm all about respecting another culture but how smart were you at that age? he was on a tour! with a young people tour group and as kids do, he pranked. why didn't they just whip his fanny or his hands in public? why all but kill the kid? within 2 months? that just blows my mind - they destroyed him in 2 months.
 they went far beyond reasonable punishment.  that is a very dangerous  country because it is such a closed society and the leader, who demands "shows" of adoration from his lackeys is stone cold crazy. and crazy doesn't play by the rules.  crazy can't be trusted and crazy can go off like a firecracker.