Saudi Interior Minister: The Kingdom in the Lead of States Aware of Illegal Migration Risks

Meloni received the Saudi Interior Minister in Rome on Sunday. (AP)
Meloni received the Saudi Interior Minister in Rome on Sunday. (AP)
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Saudi Interior Minister: The Kingdom in the Lead of States Aware of Illegal Migration Risks

Meloni received the Saudi Interior Minister in Rome on Sunday. (AP)
Meloni received the Saudi Interior Minister in Rome on Sunday. (AP)

Saudi Arabia called on the international community to embrace its role in addressing the political, social and economic repercussions of illegal migration, and to confront the challenges related to crimes of exploitation and smuggling and confront cross-border organized crime networks.

On behalf of Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif, led Saudi Arabia’s delegation participating in the International Conference on Development and Migration in Rome on Sunday.

The conference, which began under the chairmanship of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, was attended by a number of heads of states and governments, ministers of foreign affairs of the Mediterranean region and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and senior European and international officials.

The Saudi minister expressed the Kingdom’s gratitude to Italy for hosting the conference, which aims to strengthen international cooperation in addressing issues like illegal migration and human trafficking.

The Kingdom, under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince, is carrying out comprehensive and ongoing reforms within the framework of implementing the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which made the human being its main pillar, noted the Prince.

Prince Abdulaziz highlighted the Kingdom’s commitment to upholding human rights norms and advancing sustainable development, stating, “the Kingdom's firm stance in favor of international collaboration in addressing all common challenges is unwavering.”

He emphasized the Kingdom's support for developing the regular and institutional structure of the national human rights system, and labor regulations and policies, promoting labor rights, and improving contractual relationships.

He also mentioned the Kingdom’s launch of Saudi Green and Middle East Green initiatives to address climate change.

On the humanitarian and relief side, Prince Abdulaziz drew attention to the Kingdom’s efforts through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), stating: “The Kingdom is actively working to lessen suffering in areas affected by crises, conflicts, and disasters.”

He further shared that the Kingdom has implemented 30 projects to support refugees and migrants at a cost of more than $130 million, and provided humanitarian aid to Ukraine, exceeding $410 million.

Furthermore, the Prince mentioned the directives from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince to provide humanitarian aid worth $100 million and organize a campaign in support of the Sudanese people, who are undergoing a humanitarian crisis that has caused the displacement of large numbers in various regions of the country and neighboring countries.

The Kingdom appreciates the efforts of those working for the stability and security of people around the world.

The Kingdom’s delegation participating in the conference included Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Eng. Waleed El-Khereiji, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior Dr. Hisham Al-Faleh, Director General of Passports and Acting Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior for Civil Status Lt. Gen. Sulaiman Al-Yahya, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Multilateral Affairs Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Rassi, and representatives from the Ministries of Interior and Foreign Affairs and KSrelief.



Kuwait Jails 13 Citizens, Fines them $87 Mn for Hezbollah Funding

A general view of the Kuwait Palace of Justice in Kuwait City, June 16, 2013. (Reuters)
A general view of the Kuwait Palace of Justice in Kuwait City, June 16, 2013. (Reuters)
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Kuwait Jails 13 Citizens, Fines them $87 Mn for Hezbollah Funding

A general view of the Kuwait Palace of Justice in Kuwait City, June 16, 2013. (Reuters)
A general view of the Kuwait Palace of Justice in Kuwait City, June 16, 2013. (Reuters)

Kuwait’s Court of Cassation on Monday sentenced 13 citizens to three years in prison for raising funds through a charity to support Lebanon’s Hezbollah.

The court also fined them 27 million Kuwaiti dinars ($87 million), overturning a previous acquittal by a lower court.

The court that issued the sentencing was presided over by Judge Abdullah Jassim Al-Abdullah.

Initially, the Criminal Court had acquitted the defendants, citing the absence of legislation explicitly criminalizing unlicensed fundraising for public purposes since the establishment of Kuwait's Social Affairs Department on December 14, 1954.

The court said this legal gap limited its authority under Article 132 of the Code of Criminal Procedures and Trials. However, the decision was reversed by the higher court.

The defendants had been interrogated in November 2021 over alleged financial support to organizations linked to Hezbollah.

At the time, the Public Prosecution ordered their detention, and security authorities conducted extensive investigations into financial transfers suspected of funding such groups in Lebanon.

The case dates back to November 2021. The charges included significant financial transfers made over several years to foreign entities, including in Lebanon, prompting authorities to scrutinize transaction records.

The defendants denied the charges, claiming they had worked with a charity committee for 30 years, primarily sponsoring orphans in Lebanon and other countries.

In March 2024, the Court of Cassation classified Hezbollah as a banned terrorist group, describing it as an armed organization working to undermine Kuwait’s system and spread Iran’s revolutionary ideology.

The ruling officially confirmed Hezbollah’s designation as a terrorist entity under Kuwaiti law.