Qatari Security Forces Raid Sheikh Sultan bin Suhaim's Palace

Sheikh Sultan bin Suhaim. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Sheikh Sultan bin Suhaim. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Qatari Security Forces Raid Sheikh Sultan bin Suhaim's Palace

Sheikh Sultan bin Suhaim. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Sheikh Sultan bin Suhaim. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

An armed force of the Qatari security forces raided the palace of Sheikh Sultan bin Suhaim Al Thani in Doha and confiscated documents and possessions belonging to his father, former Foreign Minister Sheikh Suhaim bin Hamad.

The security forces confiscated about 137 cases and a number of iron cabinets containing all of Sheikh Sultan documents and possessions, in addition to a vast archive that accurately documents the history of Qatar.

Sky News television reported that the raid, which lasted six hours, was carried out by a unit of 15 members of the Qatari security forces on Thursday evening.

The confiscated materials are of high political value and record the history of Qatar and its domestic events since the 1960s and until Sheikh Suhaim’s death in 1985, it reported.

The state agents also entered the private room of Sheikh Sultan’s mother, Sheikha Mona al-Dousary, and seized valuables, including family photos, all her jewelry and cash.

In addition, workers in the palace were assaulted and arrested with the Sudanese housekeeper being deported, while the fate of two arrested Moroccans is still unknown. Another Sudanese female worker was detained for eight hours and up to this moment, palace staff are being held in an undisclosed location and are not allowed to leave.

The palace is now under complete control of the security forces.

Sky News also confirmed that Qatari authorities have frozen all of Sheikh Sultan’s assets and seized his seal, documents and trade contracts, which poses a risk that they may be misused for fraudulent purposes.

Qatari authorities froze the accounts of Sheikh Sultan days after freezing the assets of Sheikh Abdullah Al Thani.



Saudi Interior Ministry Enforces Penalties for Violating Hajj Permit Rules

Pilgrims are seen at the Hajj last year. (EPA)
Pilgrims are seen at the Hajj last year. (EPA)
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Saudi Interior Ministry Enforces Penalties for Violating Hajj Permit Rules

Pilgrims are seen at the Hajj last year. (EPA)
Pilgrims are seen at the Hajj last year. (EPA)

Colonel Talal bin Shalhoub, Spokesman for the Saudi Ministry of Interior, announced that penalties are now being implemented against those performing Hajj, entering, or staying in Makkah and the holy sites without a permit. He made the remarks during a session at the Digital Communication Conference.
The Spokesman stated that anyone caught performing Hajj without a permit, or entering or staying in Makkah or the holy sites on a visit visa, faces a fine of up to SAR20000, the Saudi Press Agency reported Thursday.
He added that anyone facilitating these violations—such as applying for visas, transporting, sheltering, concealing, or otherwise assisting violators—faces a fine of up to SAR100000.
Fines are applied per individual violation. Residents or overstayers caught attempting to perform Hajj without a permit will be deported and banned from the Kingdom for 10 years, he noted.
Bin Shalhoub also warned against fraudulent Hajj schemes that falsely promise services such as accommodation, transport, surrogate Hajj services, sacrificial animals, or fake bracelets.
He also highlighted the ongoing "Makkah Route" initiative, part of the Pilgrim Experience Program under Saudi Vision 2030, operating at 11 airports in 7 countries. Launched in 1438 AH (2017 AD), the initiative has served 940,657 pilgrims.