Region | Iraq
Number of Saudi fighters in Iraq 'exaggerated'
Deputy Interior Minister Prince Ahmad Bin Abdul Aziz has said reports about the actual number of Saudis fighting in Iraq were exaggerated.
- By Mariam Al Hakeem, Correspondent
- Published: 00:05 April 28, 2008
Riyadh: Deputy Interior Minister Prince Ahmad Bin Abdul Aziz has said reports about the actual number of Saudis fighting in Iraq were exaggerated.
He also denied reports that these fighters are reaching Iraq directly from the kingdom. "They land in Iraq via a third country," he told reporters after opening the environment exhibition on Saturday.
Replying to questions about the actual number of Saudis fighting in Iraq, Prince Ahmad said: "There have been exaggerations with regard to their number.
'Lured'
"We challenge anyone to prove that Saudis are leaving for Iraq via its international borders directly. But the reality is that there were a number of Saudis leaving for other neighbouring countries. Then they were being lured to fight in the war-torn country," he said.
Prince Ahmad voiced optimism that the file of Saudi prisoners at Guantanamo detention centre would wind up soon. "The rehabilitation programme of detainees has met with positive results," he added.
The Ministry of Interior organised a trip for media personnel and crew of satellite channels to the care centre for detainees in northern Riyadh as well as to a new security prison in the southern city of Abha yesterday.
Speaking to reporters, the director general of Saudi prisons expressed his keenness that such trips would help change the stereotype impression about Saudi prisons.
"These prisons were and will not become dreadful places as some people talk about them," he said.
The director general unveiled plans to build five large prison complexes in Riyadh, Jeddah, Abha, Qaseem and the Eastern Province.
"These prisons will be equipped with all the advanced facilities to fulfil the health, social and cultural requirements of prisoners as well as security systems. As many as 1,200 fixed and mobile cameras will be installed inside and outside the prisons," he said.
Speaking about the new programmes being introduced at prisons, the director general said these include holding a 'Family Day' on which the prisoners can enjoy a full day in the company of their families. "Prisoners, who want to lead a reformed life in future, will be allowed to spend a full day with their families at the designated place for visitors inside the prison," he said.
Security prison officials said there will be 32 investigation rooms at the new prisons. Each one of them will be equipped with cameras. Investigations can be monitored from Riyadh or other regions through satellite channels or by DSL technology. Interrogation will be done in a humane and transparent manner, the officials said.
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