Egyptian Prisoners in KSA are treated on Basis of Tolerant Islamic Shari’a

In response to what was mentioned during the press conference held by the Freedom Committee of the Journalists’ Syndicate, about the status of Egyptian prisoners in Saudi Arabia, H. E. Ahmad Abdul-Aziz Kattan, Saudi Ambassador in Cairo and Permanent Representative to the Arab League, was astonished by the faulty information that was raised during the conference. He asserted that Saudi Government applies the principles of Islamic Sharia in dealing with all prisoners, either Saudis or other. He also denied what was raised about insulting or mistreating Egyptian prisoners, a matter that was affirmed by a delegation from Egyptian Foreign Ministry, who visited Saudi Arabia recently.

Kattan made clear that most Egyptians held in custody in Saudi Arabia were detained for accusations of committing crimes related to terrorism, causing chaos and undermining security of the Kingdom. He added that Egyptians held in custody will face fair trials soon after completing the necessary requirements, and they will be sentenced according to what they committed. H.E. added that Saudi Arabia exercises its sovereign right according to the international law, the same sovereign right which Egypt exercises against who attempts to undermine its national security; this includes the life sentences that were delivered recently by an Egyptian court against some foreigners who tried to smuggle weapons into Egypt.

Ambassador Kattan asserted that the governments of Riyadh and Cairo are following up what is related to the issue of Egyptian prisoners in Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, he noted that the deep-rooted ties between the two countries are always based on brotherly ties, bonds of Islam and Arabism, mutual respect of their respective laws and common care about security and stability of the two countries. He added that, similar to Egypt, Saudi Arabia also cares about its security and that of its citizens and foreigners, and will not allow anyone to undermine its security or raise doubts about the tolerant Islamic belief, on which Saudi legal system is based.