The Committee   For  The  Defense  Of  Human  Rights  In

The  Arabian Peninsula

The Annual Report On Human Rights In The Arabian Peninsula For 2001

This report covers the period from January 1998  to June 2001

Introduction

The Arabian Peninsula has ruled since more than ten decades starting of Abd Al-Aziz Al Saud till Fahd Bin Abd Al-Aziz Al Saud within a hereditary monarchy.

The founder of this existence (Abd Al-Aziz Al Saud) has established a fabricated geographical state by seizing many Northern, Southern Eastern and Western regions with unlimited advocacy of British.

The sons of Abd al-Aziz have ruled one by one till Fahd Bin Abd Al-Aziz. They continued to rule by that tribal way which made the rule tyrannical. The Government prohibits the basic rights of people particularly the right of election of ruler and the participation in the government.

Undoubtedly this pattern of political administration is inconsistent with Islamic Shari`a which refuses the hereditary monarchy. Islamic Shari`a confirms the application of the consultation and election according to the international standards and the Universal Declaration of Human rights (Article 21).

In this case the Saudi regime has no legislative and lawful credibility.

The Saudi Regime and the Constitution:

The Saudi regime lacks to basic factor of governing, it is the Constitution which organizes the political, security, economical, social and religious affairs. It also organizes the rights of the ruler and the citizen.

There is no written constitution in the country, The Saudi regime tries to deny the necessity of setting up permanent and written constitution for the country through raising the slogan of (the Koran and the Sunna of the Prophet Mohammad P.B.U.H) and the application of Islamic Shari`a as a constitution of the country. This is contrary to Shari`a and law.

It is difficult to consider the royal decrees and laws issued by the king and other regime’s symbols, who do not understand the Islam, Koran or Sunna, as a constitution for the country because it is a violation for Islam and Shari`a, and abuse for people’s rights.

1.The Abuse of Human Integrity, Dignity and Rights

A. Torture and Cruel or Degrading Treatment.

The Saudi regime has no written constitution. The ministry of Interior and its authorities have wide powers which overstrip the Judicial System. The Judicial System actually has power and it is directed by the regime.

It has the powers of detention, investigation and conviction.

The detainees are convicted according to false confessions which are extracted from them under torture, threat or psychological pressure.

They force to sign on confessions prepared by the interrogators.

The issue of sentences are secret through vague circumstances. No one know the sentence except the defendant.

Although the Saudi Regime has ratified the Convention Against Torture, and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, (CAT), but the reservations made upon ratification to this treaty raise many questions about its ratification and Its credibility.

It is worth mentioning that the Saudi regime has reserved on Article 3 of this treaty which states. "No State Party shall expel, return ("refouler") or extradite a person to another State where there are substantial grounds for believing that he would be in danger of being subjected to torture".

The Government also refused to recognize the power of U.N Committee against torture to investigate alleged torture according to Article 20. This reservation made the regime to disavowal of any responsibility towards the claims submitted to the committee about alleged torture.

Fortunately there a lot of torture cases happened after ratifying on that treaty.

The sources of the Committee (CDHRAP) have stated that the scholars Sayyid Hashim al-Shakhs, Sheikh Hassan al-Motaw`a, Sheikh Sa`id al-Bahar, Sheikh Habib Hamada, Sheikh Abdul Jalil al-Sumein, and Sheikh Abdul Latif Mohammad Ali, and the Citizens Abdullah al-Jarrash, Sayyid Fadhel al-Alawi, Sayyid Mustafa al-Qassab, Sheikh Mohammad Khozyer, Ali al-Qattan, Abdul Karim al-Bahr, Mohammad al-Rababi, Ali al-Marhoun, Mohammad al-Saygh, Abdul Karim al-Nimer, Abdul Ghani al-Hamoud, Abdul Majid al-Naser and others were subjected to torture between 1996 to 2000. The effects of torture were clear on their bodies particularly the detainees who were released.

The Saudi history is full of torture crimes against the citizens, the detainees and political prisoners.

The reports of human rights organizations documented during the last years till 2000, a lot of torture cases which could not be refuted by the regime.

There were some salient crimes of torture during the last years we should highlight them because they caused the death of their victims, and the regime did not present any justification for committing them or open investigation to know the perpetrators. We dogmatize that the regime was behind those accidents and it done within a systematized plan of torture against the detainees.

1. Mohammad al-Rabi`, from Eastern province, was arrested by the regime because he signed with thousands of workers on a pleading called to end the contract of American Air Base in Dhahran. He was deported to Ihsa` custody in 1956. After some months his body was withered. As a result of his bad health, he was affected of phthisis and died at the custody.

2. Abdul Majid al-Shammasi. 16 years, from Qatif city. He was arrested in 1969 and deported to the custody of the General Directorate of Investigation (al-Mabahith Al-`Amma) in Dammam. He was subjected to horrible types of torture in order to sign on a false confession.

At custody, his nails were pulled up and his jaw and spinal column were broken. He was left bleed till he died after three days on 21/4/1969.

3. The citizen Abdul Wahed Abdul Jabbar, 34 years, from Qatif city was arrested on 4/6/1970. After 11 days he died due to severe bleeding as a result of torture during the investigation period at the custody of al-Mabahith in Jaddah.

4. The Major Wasfi al-Maddah, 34 years, from Mecca was arrested in 1969. As a result of facing horrible torture, he escaped from the prison. He was arrested again and killed inside the prison by the regime on 12/10/1970.

5. Abdul Ra`ouf al-Khoneizi, 41 years, from Qatif city was arrested in 1959 and again 1964. After seven years he died due to cruel torture on 1971.

6. The citizen Hassan al-Sheikh Faraj al-Omran, 40 years, from Qatif city, He was arrested in 1970 and died due to torture in 1972.

7. The staff officer S`oud al-Mo`mmar, was born in Baghdad in 1935. He was arrested in Jordan on 12/10/1970. He was exposed to torture and died in August 1971.

8. S`oud Ali al-Hammad, 19 years, from `Awwameyah town was deported forcibly by Qatari authorities to Saudi regime in July 1981. At the custody, he was subjected to cruel types of torture on the hands of the major Abbas al-Kishmiri until he died on 13/9/1981.

9. The engineer Khalid al-Nazha, from Hail, was arrested in 1982 and died under torture in May 1983.

10. The citizen Ahmad Mahdi Khamis, 25 years, from Qatif, was arrested on 6/2/1406 A.H and died at the custody of al-Mabahith al`Amma in Dammam on 20/10/1985.

Although the Saudi regime denied practice torture against detainees and he had nothing to hide, but the death rate due to torture shows the opposite of its allegation.

For example

(1)  Mohammad al-Hayek

On  20/06/1998 , the General Investigations (al- Mabahith al-`Amma) of Dammam in the Eastern Province called the family of Mohammad al-Hayek , 24 years, from al-Qatif city and told them the death of  their son and told them that al-Mabahith al-`Amma had already been buried his body at an undisclosed location in Riyadh .

The martyr Mohammad al-Hayek was arrested in August 1996 during arbitrary waves of arrest included hundreds of citizens and scholars whom some of them are still held in the prisons of Riyadh ,Dammam and al-Madina al-Munwwara.

(2)  The citizen Ahmad bin Ahmad al - Mulablab

In al-Jafar village in Ihsaa   , members of the Committee for the Propagation of  Virtue and the Prevention of Vice (CPVPV), have arrested the citizen Ahmad bin Ahmad al - Mulablab ,  55  years, and led him to unknown direction . On 20 / 11 / 1998 his family was called by the (CPVPV) to collect his body.

This oppressed citizen died as a martyr in the prison of this terrorist Committee due to horrible torture on the hands of its members.

The above-mentioned citizen who was a muezzin in al-Jafar mosque , has been warned many times by (CPVPV) that he should change the call to prayer  in the Shi`a way because the (CPVPV) believes that his way to call prayer differs from their way , but al-Mulablab did not care about their warning . He insisted to follow his duty which was not contrary to the freedom of religion and faith.

Al-Mulblab's family has refused to collect his body and has lodged a complaint with the Interior Ministery to hold investigation in the accident . The latter promised to offer his body on medical examiner to avoid the public indignation.

(3)  The citizen Abd al-Ghani Abdullah al-Hammoud was one of the victims of torture . He was arrested by members of the General Investigation (al-Mabahith al-`Amma) on 17/06/1997 at his job place in al-Khobar town. His house was raided by the security police and it was searched thoroughly. His private possession was confiscated.

This citizen has been suffering of torture effects till the second arrest , and he is still held in custody.

(4)  Sheikh Ali Abdulla Abu Taki

Among the torture methods in Saudi prisons were deprivation the victim to use toilet for long time which causes affect in urinary system.

Among these victims was the scholar Hojjatoleslam Sheikh Ali Abdulla Abu Taki who was arrested on 24/4/1996  then he was transferred to hospital to perform a surgery  for urinary passages.

It is worth mentioning that Abu Taki is still held with no trial or charges and he was denied the right to defend himself.

(5) The citizen Fahd al-Zo`bi, 41 years, was arrested in September 1996 on charge of membership of the Hizb al-Tahrir al-'Islami, Islamic Liberation Party. He was held in the headquarter of al-Mabahith al-`Amma of Riyadh. In custody, he was subjected to beating, deprivation of food and electric shocks to extract confession.

(6) The citizen Sa`id al-Farrash, was arrested in November 1990 by members of the  (Committee for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice (CPVPV) ) in Mecca. He died after ten hours of arrest due to a shatter of skull. Then his death was considered as a normal death according to the order of the Interior Ministry.

The following is a letter sent by one of the detainees from the prison explains the suffering of detainees and the methods of torture.

In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate , the Merciful

All praise is due to Allah , the Lord of the Worlds.

Blessings and peace be upon Muhammad (s) , and his immaculate , virtuous progeny (s).

Dear brothers,

Peace and blessings of Allah upon you.

There are some important and sensitive matters due to the situation of our believed brothers inside prison, and I see it is very important and necessary to clarify them for you , and it is your duty to convey these information and reports to Amnesty International Organization and other human rights groups because these matters are related of the believed individuals who have been suffering of torture , pain and tyranny on the hands of Saudi torturers. They also clarify the lying of the Regime which denied political detainees in its prisons and jails and also denied torture.

We try by this quick letter to cover up a lot of hidden facts behind the bars of these criminals.

1-Now it is a suitable time to disprove the allegations of Saudi regime that has no detainees in its prisons, and  you should send all the names of detainees to the human rights organizations with the number of their telephones. Tell these organizations to make contact with the families of these detainees and ask them, "Where is so -and- so?"

The question is normally, "in prison".

This will be an evidence of Regime's lies.

2-The Saudi Interior Minister Nayef has claimed that the detainees who were accused of al-Khobar bombing but we are completely sure that there are no detainees who have any connection with that bombing and the Regime doesn't have any evidence to convict anyone.

3-We want to inform Amnesty International about what happens inside Saudi prisons:

a-Torture:

All the detained believers were subjected to cruel torture which is prohibited on both Islamic and international levels, as:

-Depriving the detainees of sleep for long time reaches nearly one month.

-Using electric shocks on some parts of body.

-Suspending the detainee from his tied hands or legs for long time.

-Sever beating on some parts of body which makes some detainees to use arm wheels or to crawl on ground and you can see a lot of spots of blood on the grounds of investigation rooms and the prison.

- Tiding the right hand of the detainee with his left leg and the left hand with the right leg and hanged on a high spot which causes sterility.

Sometimes the detainees are tied for three months even through their sleeping.

-Exposing the detainees to the sexual assault.

-Detaining the prisoners in solitary confinement for long time reaches more than a year and a half.

-The detainees have not been allowed family visits for years.

-Exposing the detainees to psychological torture

These are some types of torture which are used against detainees in the headquarter of al-Mabahith al-`Amma in Dammam city (the Headquarter of Precautionary and Temporary Detention)

B. Diseases

The torture against the detainees has caused some kinds of diseases for them like renal failure as a result of beating on back and other parts of body, also piles and bed-wetting as a result of preventing them to go to W.C. for long periods.

Some of these diseases became deep-rooted as well as the psychological and nervous ones.

C. The Random Sentences

The Saudi regime designed new methods of pronouncing sentences against detainees in the court.

The judge has no role of pronouncing sentence because the General Investigation (al-Mabahith al-`Amma) with arrangement with the Prince of the district who is responsible of pronouncing the sentences and the judge only cites them.

The defendant is denied access to lawyers and if he challenges the sentence, the imprisonment will be long. The sentences are often extemporaneous and incredible.

Some terms of imprisonments are ranging from 1 to 25 years as well as lashing.

The number of lashes ranging from 100 to 2000.

The detainee during the lashing is thrown on the ground inside a place rounded with law wall and his hand are handcuffed at the back, then the torturer begins to beat him on his back with whip until bleeding.

Some of the detainees cry and others fall down unconscious. The other detainees hear his cries.

The beating causes many diseases as renal failure, broken bones, some wounds and traces on skin. The detainee couldn't sleep for several days due to the horrible pain. The beating is carried out with cruel and disgraceful way which shows the hate on the detainee.

The detainees are prevented to have newspapers, magazines, books or radios.

They are also denied visit of other relatives except their parents, wives and sons and sometimes they exposed to indignity through their visit.

What I mention in this letter is very little and because of limit time I stop to tell more.

We hope that our friends try to cover up the Regime's lies and slyness , and it is not suitable be silent because the time now is very good to report the human rights organizations and the press agencies about the Regime's violations. The situation of most detainees who are still behind bars is very painful. They suffer of pains in the prisons of Riyadh and Dammam. They are waiting your move and activity.

Those scholars and citizens find the best help in your sympathy to understand their problems and to convey their voices and cries to the Muslims ears and the ears of our believed brothers and to the world.

Finally we send our greetings to you and other believers and we ask you prayers and serious move and don't be concerned about your brothers because they are firm and patient. They are sticking to their values and principles despite the difficult circumstances.

Peace and blessings of Allah upon you.

Your brothers who are waiting

Your ardor on religion and believed brothers.

The Methods of Torture

1- Beating on all parts of body by members of the General Intelligence following arrest .

2- Beating with sticks and ordinary cabled or electrified cables on the parts of body especially the sensitive parts.

3- Suspending the victim by putting a hard stick under knees and hands and suspension the stick between tow tables accompanied by beating on the body.

4- Exposure to electric shocks especially the genitals.

5-    Forced stand for hours and even days denying the victim of sleep and toilet use, and pouring water on him in case of sleep.

6-    Forced nakedness and threat of rape to him and to female relatives.

7-    Immersing the victim’s head in a dirty water or a urinal.

8-    Insertion sticks in the victim’s anus.

9-    Pulling hand and foot nails.

10- Forced nakedness and gathering detainees in one place especially in investigation room.

11- Insult the detainee, his faiths, his sacred ideologies and his family members.

12- Detaining female relatives of the victim as psychological pressure.

13-Bringing the victim to the execution area and making him believe that he will be beheaded

14- Pulling the victim flat on the ground, with handcuffs at the back , beating on back and pouring icy water on him.

15- Suspension up side down and beating on the parts of body.

B. Assaults Against Citizens and Arbitrary Arrests.

As we have said earlier that without Constitution for the country is considered a basic factor for causing confusion and denying the safeguards for the citizen to have his rights which facilitates the control and cheating the people’s fate by the regime. That may facilitate the regime to impose the laws which are in agreement with the interest of ruler, which is contrary to international norms and law.

The Article 28 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states, "Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be fully realized.

Our country is different from other international regimes. It has no constitution borrowed from Islamic laws or positive sources. If there are some separate legislations decrees, issued now and then from cabinet, the Council of Senior Religious Scholars or Consultative Council, all these legislations are imperfect and open to wide interpretation.

These laws were issued to meet the basic political and security needs of the regime. They increased the terrorism, persecution and binding the freedom of people, as  the Fatwa (edict) No. 148, issued by the Council of Senior Religious Scholars on 24/8/1988 which made mandatory the death penalty for every one who made an action of sabotage and "Corruption on earth".

That Fatwa was issued after the upraise of the dissent against the regime. The aim behind that Fatwa was to exterminate all the dissident movements which seek change, redress, giving rights and freedom for citizens.

That Fatwa has a wide interpretation which applies the term of "saboteur" and "corruptive" for every dissident or political opponent which the regime tries to get rid of him.

The Saudi regime denies the citizens’ rights through the issue of laws and legislations which agree with its interests and wishes under the pretext of applying Islamic Shari`a.

Within the framework of elastic laws which could not be interpreted except the King and the specialist bodies of regime as the Ministry of Interior , was the royal decree issued in March 1961, which states, "the death penalty is mandatory for every person who holds a violent activity against the state".

The Statute of Principles of Arrest, Temporary Confinement and Preventive Detention (SPAD) and the Basic Statute of the System of Government deny the arbitrary arrest and detention but they do not state mechanism to prevent these practices.

The (SPAD) gives wide powers for the arresting authorities through its vague text and open to wide interpretation, which give those authorities the power to oppress the citizens and to robe their freedom and rights, which is contrary to Islamic laws and international human rights standards.

Article 1 states: "patrol forces and other public order officials shall have the rights to arrest any person in a situation giving rise to suspicion." The phrase " situation giving rise to suspicion" is a vague meaning and open to wide interpretation, which gives those authorities the pretext to persecute the political opponents and repress the citizens’ freedoms.

This article is contrary to Islamic law which states to interpret the Muslim action as a legislative one or he is presumed innocent until proved guilty.

C. The Arbitrary Arrests and Breaking into the Houses.

The Saudi regime launched between 1990 to 2001 a lot of campaigns of arrests against the citizens and religious scholars.

The regime has given the General Investigation "al-Mabahith al-`Amma", General Security and the Committee to Promote Virtue and Prevent Vice, unlimited powers to arrest the citizens and to assign the period of detention, the period and the method of investigation which depends on torture.

Although, the regime has issued the (SPAD) (declared by the Minister of Interior on 11/11/19823) and its second section of article 9 states, "The detainee should be promptly informed of the charges brought against him". But the regime violated this article through making arrests for many years without informing the detainees of the charges or putting the defendants before independent court or giving them the chance to defend themselves.

 The Saudi authorities arrested Sheikh Ahmad al-Khalifa , 39 years , a religious scholar from Ihsaa Province, at a borderline check- point and then some members of al-Mabahith al-`Amma have deported him to the custody without informing him the reasons of the arrest.

Sheikh al-Khalifa was returning from Qom in Iran where he has been for many years to pursue his religious studies. He was released after several months of detention.

  On 17/06/1998   , members of al-Mabahith al-`Amma in Tarout Island in al-Qatif arrested Sayyid Fadhel Sayyid Alawi al-Dirweesh , 27 years , a teacher from Rabi`yah village of Tarout. Al-Dirweesh in a brutal and provocative action when they raided the school where he was teaching during the working hours and arrested him in front of teachers and students.

Some learned persons suggested the causes of his arrest because he was a religious preacher participating in the religious celebrations and holding the sectarian rites as well as his job as a teacher. He is still held in custody.

  One of the Regime’s agents (Egyptian national) worked as a barber in Tarout Island in al-Qatif tried to spread false thoughts that were contrary to Islam and he tried to tempt  some people to believe of his negative faiths which were agitator of denominationalism. 

He also used the deeds of sorcery and witchcraft  to deceive people that he tells unseen things. Some scholars, preachers and educated youths have begun to discuss and cancel these faiths .

 They hold open debates and dialogs with others who were touched of his faiths in order to satisfy them that they were wrong. The Regime immediately arrested five educated youths and accused them of kidnapping one of the persons who were touched of his faiths.

The detainees were:

1 - Khaild al-Mutawa

2 - Hani al-Hariri

3 - Abdullah Al Qanbar

4 - Fadhel Al Qanbar

5 - Mosa Abdull al-Sadiq

It is worth mentioning that the latter was arrested in July 1996 during the Regime’s campaign against the religious and sectarian activities.

The above-mentioned detainees were released  recently after subject to torture.

 In March members of al-Mabahith al-`Amma arrested the citizen Ramzi Ahmad Awal , 23 years , an employee from Rabi`yah village in Tarout Island.

   It is note worth that the members of al-Mabahith al-`Amma have raided the house of Awal with an inhuman and barbaric way and it was searched thoroughly without consideration to the Islamic laws.

   The citizen Ramzi Awal was the third individual in the same family who was arrested as well as his uncles, Taisir Abbas Awal who was arrested on 30 March 1997 and Ibrahim Abbas Awal who was arrested in June 1998.

  In June 1998, members of al-Mabahith al-`Amma arrested the citizens (`Adel Ja`far al-Delili , 26 years , a teacher and Habib Ali al-M`atik , aged 26, a private sector employee.   It is worth mentioning that the latter was arrested twice in 1996 due to his religious activity.

  In Rabi`eyah village , members of al-Mabahith al-`Amma , within a measure lacks of Islamic and human traditions and morals, were raided the house of the citizen Sayyid Ibrahim Sayyid Yousif al-Hashim, and arrested him with his daughter in-law (Hakima al-Mutaw`), 22 years. They were detained in the headquarter of al-Mabahith al-`Amma for two days without informing them the legal reasons of that measure.

    It is note worth that on 10/09/1998 an armed force from al-Mabahith al-`Amma was spread in the streets around Sayyid Ibrahim’s  house and raided it with a barbaric way , then they arrested Sayyid Monir Sayyid Ibrahim al-Hashim, 30 years , an employee, without informing him with the legal reason of that measure.

The above-mentioned detainees are still held in custody.

 During November and October 1998 , the  Arabian Peninsula witnessed a massive campaign of arrests against the citizens through the country , among them were:

1.                The citizen Abdullah Ibrahim al-Bahhar ,a  31- year - old , an employee from   Rabe`yah village in Tarout , al-Qatif.

2.                   The citizen Ali Al-Jawad , aged 27  ,university student from al-Qatif.

3.                   The citizen Mohammad Al- Ghizwi ,agead 25, a student from al-Qatif.

4.                   The citizen Na `eem  Mokhil ,aged 27 ,from Sihat town of al- Qatif.

5.                  The citizen Mohammad Abdul Raheem al-Saygh , aged 26 ,an employee from Sihat town in al- Qatif.

           6.     The citizen fo`aod Abdullah al-Ramis , aged 24, a university student from al-Qatif.

           7.     The citizen Ali Miden ,aged 30 ,an employee from al-Qatif.

           8.     Sayyid Majid Sayyid Alawi al- Sada, aged 25, a university student form al-Qatif.

  In December 1998 , the Saudi authorities arrested the female citizen (Suha Abdullah al-Mas`ari) aged 33 , from al- Riyadh. She was arrested at Jaddeh Airport upon arrival from United Kingdom. She was released without charge after several days of imprisonment.

On 02 / 03 / 1999 , members of al-Mabahith al-`Amma in al-Mubarraz town of Ihsaa arrested Sheikh Habeeb Ahmad al-Ahmad , aged 32 , from Ihsaa on his leaving the big mosque of al-Mubarraz city .

According to the reliable sources of the (CDHRAP) the Regime didn't inform his family with the reasons of his detention and then he was deported immediately to the headquarter of al- Mabahith in Dammam City .

It is worth mentioning that Sheikh Ahmad was a religious scholar returned recently from abroad where he was pursuing his religious studies and he is still held in custody.

  On 21/ 05 / 1999 , members of al-Mabahith al-`Amma in al-Kharas District of al-Mubrraz city arrested Sayyid Hassan Mohammad al-Yousif , aged 30, near his house when he returned from performing prayer. The action was carried out arbitrarily without informing him with the legal reasons and justifications of that measure.

Also, in Muneizela village of Ihsaa another members of al-Mabahith al-`Amma have arrested arbitrarily Sheikh Habib al-Ahmad and deported him to its prison.

It is note worth that Sayyid Hassan al-Yousif and Sheikh Habib al-Ahmad have been called by al-Mabahith al-`Amma before several months and have been interrogated and warned that they should stop their religious and social activities within the framework of Regime's policy to restrain the religious activities that are not in conformity with the aims of the Regime's Religious Establishment . 

On 21/ 05 / 1999 , members of al-Mabahith al-`Amma arrested Sheikh Yousif al-Jasim , 38 years , a religious scholar from al-Taraf village of Ihsaa and taken to the headquarter of al-Mabahith al-`Amma  and then released later.

 It is worth mentioning that Sheikh Jasim is considered one of the prominent preachers and actives in the field of the religious guidance and preaching. He was exposed many times for investigation and weakening his role by the Ministry of Interior.

On 12/07/1999, the Saudi regime arrested Sheikh Ghalib Hassan al-Hammad, 46 years , from Tarout Island at al-Dahran Airport on his arrival to the country and released after three months of imprisonment .

 On 4 / 11/ 1999, the General Investigations(al-Mabahith al-`Amma) in Riyadh called the citizen Abdul Karim Hussain AL-Nemer , 45 years , a merchant of gold  in Dammam. Another group from the same department accompanied him to his house and it was thoroughly inspected, then he was transported to the prison of al-Mabahith in Riyadh . That measure was carried out by the General Investigations but neither the detainee was told of the charges, nor his family knew the reasons behind the detention .

It is worth to point that al-Nemer was previously detained in 06/ 11 /1997 by al-Mabahith al-`Amma in spite of his return to the country in 1993 according to so-called the (General Amnesty) for the political opponents who were in exile.

The citizen al-Nemer had been exposed to fierce harassment as preventing him to travel abroad, moving inside the country or making contact abroad. That happened since his release till the time of his detention in the second one , and he is still held in custody.

On 11/12/1999 members of al-Mabahith al-`Amma in al-Dammam city broke into the house of the citizen Abdul Ghani al-Hammoud  , 38  years , a domestic employee in al-Dammam. The action was carried out in a barbaric way without Judicial warrant or informing his family the reasons behind his arrest.

On 04/12/1999 , members of al-Mabahith l-`Amma arrested al-Sayyid Munir al-Sayyid 'Adnan al-Khabaz , 38 years , a religious scholar from al-Qatif at Jeddah airport upon his return from studying in the city of Qom, Iran where he was pursuing his high studies of jurisprudence and Islamic sciences in the Shi`a Seminary of Qom. He was also a common Professor in that Seminary.He was released after three months of imprisonment .

In July 1999 ,  members of al-Mabahith l-`Amma arrested  the citizen Naser al-Zaher, aged 33, free services, from Sihat town.

It is note worth that he was previously detained in April 1997 due to his religious activities and then released.

In February ,  members of al-Mabahith al-`Amma have raided the job location of  the citizen Abdul Majid Hussein al-Naser, aged 36 , an employer at domestic establishment in Dammam city . He was arrested immediately and led forcibly to his house which was thoroughly inspected with immoral way , and then he was deported to the prison of al-Mabahith al-`Amma in Dammam in order to transfer him to al-Ha'ir prison in Riyadh .His family has not been notified with the reasons of his arrest .

It is worth mentioning that al-Naser has no political activities and didn't join with any religious activity before his arrest . Al-Naser was previously arrested by al-Mabahith al-`Amma in August 1996 within the framework of oppressive campaigns which had been launched by the Regime.

On 09/03/2001 ,  members of al-Mabahith al-`Amma arrested the cleric (Sheikh Mohammad Ali al-Amri, 90 years, from al-Madina al-Munawwarah at his return from Mecca after performing religious rites of  peligrimage to Ka`ba.

The arrest was carried out under the pretext that al-Amri has hosted some Iranian pilgrims at his house in al-Madina al-Munawwara, although His Eminence told the investigators before his arrest that his house and salon are open for any Muslim guest from any country and he could not prevent anyone to be his guest.

It is worth mentioning that the salon of Sheikh al-Amri in al-Madina al-Munawwara is considered as a rendezvous for the pilgrims of the holy shrine of the Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H) and for the pilgrims of Beit Allah al-Haram in Mecca from all over the world due to his high scholarly and spiritual rank and due to the great respect among all Muslims worldwide.

The arrest of this Sheikh who approached ninety years old, is considered as a gross violation for the sanctity of Man, Islam and religious scholars which our religion confirmed their protection.

On 13/8/2000, the Saudi authorities arrested Sheikh Ali al-Ghanem, 41 years, from Safwa city of Qatif.

It is worth mentioning that Sheikh al-Ghanem was subjected to investigation before four months of his arrest on the fond of the arrest of Sayyid Hashim al-Sada.

The interrogators tried to force him to denote false confession against Sayyid Hashim to convict him with cases connect of his political activity before 1994.

It is worth to point that Sheikh al-Ghanem and Sayyid Hashim al-Sada returned to the country according to general amnesty for political opponents in 1994.

This case and the continues detention of Sheikh Abdul Jaleel al-Sumeyen, Sheikh Abdul Latif al-Mohammed Ali, the citizen Abdul Ghani al-Hamoud, the citizen Abdul Karim Hussain al-Nimer, and the citizen Abdul Majid Hussain al-Naser who returned home in 1994 according to the alleged amnesty , show that the Saudi regime has not closed the opponents’ cases despite their return to the country and ceasing their political activities, and this action highlights of doubt about the credibility of the regime