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Saudi Tourists Report 165 Cases of Stolen Passports in Turkey in 4 Months

A foreign tourist, with the Byzantine-era monument of Hagia Sophia in the background, takes pictures at Sultanahmet square in Istanbul, Turkey April 21, 2018. (Reuters)
A foreign tourist, with the Byzantine-era monument of Hagia Sophia in the background, takes pictures at Sultanahmet square in Istanbul, Turkey April 21, 2018. (Reuters)
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Saudi Tourists Report 165 Cases of Stolen Passports in Turkey in 4 Months

A foreign tourist, with the Byzantine-era monument of Hagia Sophia in the background, takes pictures at Sultanahmet square in Istanbul, Turkey April 21, 2018. (Reuters)
A foreign tourist, with the Byzantine-era monument of Hagia Sophia in the background, takes pictures at Sultanahmet square in Istanbul, Turkey April 21, 2018. (Reuters)

The Saudi embassy in Turkey warned on Tuesday its citizens against falling victim to Turkish gangs that are targeting Saudi tourists to rob them of their passports and money.

Trusted sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that 165 Saudi passports have been stolen in three Turkish tourist spots during four months.

The embassy had revealed that Saudis have been victims of pick-pocketers and robbers, who had run off with their money and passports, in some regions in Turkey.

It urged citizens to secure their passports and precious possessions, especially in crowded areas.

They must not hesitate in contacting the embassy or Saudi consulate in Istanbul in cases of emergency.

The sources said that the tourists were targeted in the Istanbul neighborhoods of Taksim, Ortakoy and Besiktas. The tourists said that the theft took place while they were shopping or at restaurants.

Charge d’Affaires at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul Meshary al-Thyaby told Asharq Al-Awsat that the embassy and consulate are on available around the clock to receive complaints from Saudi nationals.

It revealed that embassy officials are dispatched to the scene of any reported theft.

The crimes have led to a huge drop in numbers of Saudi tourists in 2019 compared to 2018.

“The thefts and pick-pocketing are not limited to Saudi tourists, but we have heard similar cases among Arab tourists,” he stated.

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Kuwait Revokes Citizenship of 1,145 Women, 13 Men

The Supreme Committee to Investigate the Kuwaiti Citizenship has decided to revoke and annul the Kuwaiti citizenship of 1,145 women and 13 men. (KUNA)
The Supreme Committee to Investigate the Kuwaiti Citizenship has decided to revoke and annul the Kuwaiti citizenship of 1,145 women and 13 men. (KUNA)
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Kuwait Revokes Citizenship of 1,145 Women, 13 Men

The Supreme Committee to Investigate the Kuwaiti Citizenship has decided to revoke and annul the Kuwaiti citizenship of 1,145 women and 13 men. (KUNA)
The Supreme Committee to Investigate the Kuwaiti Citizenship has decided to revoke and annul the Kuwaiti citizenship of 1,145 women and 13 men. (KUNA)

Kuwait issued seven new decrees on Saturday, revoking the Kuwaiti nationality of 1,145 women and 13 men, along with any individuals who may have acquired citizenship through affiliation.
The decrees, which are set to be published in the official Kuwaiti gazette on Sunday, stated that the decision followed a review of the Constitution, the Kuwaiti Nationality Law, and the recommendation of the First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister.
The decrees include the revocation of Kuwaiti nationality from 1,145 women, as well as individuals who may have acquired it through affiliation.
Additionally, the citizenship of certain individuals was rescinded under Article 21 of the Nationality Law, which permits the withdrawal of nationality if it was granted based on fraud, false statements, or incorrect documentation.
Under Kuwaiti law, the cabinet, acting on a proposal from the Interior Minister, has the authority to revoke citizenship in such cases. This also applies to individuals who acquired Kuwaiti nationality through affiliation with the original certificate holder.
Last Thursday, the Supreme Committee for Citizenship Affairs convened a meeting, chaired by the Acting Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah, who also serves as the committee's chairman.

The committee decided to revoke and annul the Kuwaiti citizenship of 1,647 individuals, with plans to present their cases to the Cabinet for further review.
This brings the total number of cases to 4,601 since October 31, a span of just three weeks.
The Committee began its work in early March, when Kuwaiti authorities launched a campaign to revoke citizenships for various reasons, primarily linked to fraud.
The Kuwaiti government states that the revocation of citizenship from forgers and dual nationals is intended to "preserve national identity, ensure stability, and protect the national fabric," as well as to remove the records of individuals who obtained citizenship through illegal means.