Saudi Arabia Launches Probe into Asir Region Incident

Saudi Public Prosecution, Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Public Prosecution, Asharq Al-Awsat
TT

Saudi Arabia Launches Probe into Asir Region Incident

Saudi Public Prosecution, Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Public Prosecution, Asharq Al-Awsat

Saudi Public Prosecution has launched a probe into an incident in the Kingdom’s southern Asir region.

The investigation was issued in “reference to video footage circulated through social media… showing an incident inside the Social Education House in the Khamis Mushait Governorate in the Asir region,” a Public Prosecution source affirmed.

The source confirmed that the prosecution had started a probe into an incident of destroying public money in the same Social Education House, and the case is still under investigation procedures.

However, the source stressed that physically or morally harming those arrested in the case was unacceptable.

While they prohibited humiliating treatment, Saudi authorities stressed at the same time the protection of public funds from felony and assault.

Public Prosecution is proceeding with its judicial procedures to protect society and preserve public money, and assuming its judicial role in taking care of the guarantees established for detainees, the source revealed.

Earlier, Asir region Governor Prince Turki bin Talal bin Abdulaziz issued an order to form an investigation committee to find out what was circulated of videos and photos about the “Khamis Mushait orphans” incident.

“Referring to what was circulated on social media in terms of videos and photos showing an incident inside the Social Education House in the Khamis Mushait Governorate in the Asir region, Prince Turki bin Talal bin Abdulaziz directed the formation of a committee to investigate with all parties and refer the case to proper jurisdiction,” said Asir region authorities in a statement posted on Twitter.



Syria’s Leader Meets with Bahraini Diplomatic Delegation

The leader of Syria's new administration, Ahmed al-Sharaa meets Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdul Latif Al-Zayani in Damascus, Syria, January 8, 2025. (Bahrain News Agency/Handout via Reuters)
The leader of Syria's new administration, Ahmed al-Sharaa meets Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdul Latif Al-Zayani in Damascus, Syria, January 8, 2025. (Bahrain News Agency/Handout via Reuters)
TT

Syria’s Leader Meets with Bahraini Diplomatic Delegation

The leader of Syria's new administration, Ahmed al-Sharaa meets Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdul Latif Al-Zayani in Damascus, Syria, January 8, 2025. (Bahrain News Agency/Handout via Reuters)
The leader of Syria's new administration, Ahmed al-Sharaa meets Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdul Latif Al-Zayani in Damascus, Syria, January 8, 2025. (Bahrain News Agency/Handout via Reuters)

Syria's de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa received a delegation from Bahrain on Wednesday and met with the Bahraini foreign minister, state media reported.

The visit was the latest in a flurry of diplomatic overtures by Arab countries to Syria’s new leaders after they overthrew former President Bashar al-Assad in a lightning rebel offensive.

Like other Gulf countries, Bahrain had cut off diplomatic ties with Syria under Assad’s rule during the Syrian civil war, but it reopened its embassy in Damascus in 2018 and gradually restored ties with the Assad government.

Bahrain is the current head of the Arab summit, and days after Assad’s ouster it had sent a message to al-Sharaa offering its cooperation with the new authorities and saying, “We look forward to Syria regaining its authentic role in the Arab League.”