More than 12,000 prisoners released

Riyadh: Major General Sultan Al Harthy, the director of Saudi prisons has revealed that about 12,334 prisoners, who were earlier granted royal amnesty, were all set free recently.

He denied that there are prisoners who remain for long periods in jails without trials, adding that according to the law the accused can remain in jail for up to five days before trial and the period can be extended to 40 days, or a maximum of 6 months, depending on the type of case.

If the accused person has not been tried during this period he will be released on bail, he added.

Asked about reports of human rights violations in Saudi jails, he said that the administration of prisons deals strictly with any such violations and involved employees are held accountable.