Middle East Experience

The Riyadh Criminal Court on Tuesday issued a preliminary ruling dismissing a lawsuit filed by a Saudi female citizen claiming she was subjected to torture and harassment while in detention, according to a report by Asharq al-Awsat.The Asharq al-Awsat report, which did not name the female detainee but identified her as a “prisoner currently in detention on security charges,” said the dismissal came after the public prosecution’s investigation determined that there is no evidence to substantiate the allegation.For the latest headlines, visit our Google News channel online or via the app.Judicial authorities reviewed the weekly medical examination reports in addition to medical reports conducted upon her request, the testimonies of a number of officials in the Human Rights Commission and a number of officials in the prison, in addition to the testimonies of a number of detainees with her in the prison during the period of her detention.During the session, which Asharq al-Awsat said it had attended, the judge confirmed that it was not proven in the court that the detainee was subjected to torture or ill-treatment during the period of her arrest and during her hunger strike.The judge has given the plaintiff 30 days to present her objection to the initial ruling before submitting it to the Court of Appeal.“The plaintiff was given the chance to review all documents and challenge them in previous court sessions, and she was given the opportunity to present evidence of any kind to substantiate her claims during several occasions, but she did not submit it,” read Asharq al-Awsat’s report.“The case was opened upon her request, and therefore the plaintiff’s delay in responding, led to the prolonging of the case. The court’s work was hampered, given that the court examines a number of cases, and that the accused all receive equal treatment,” Asharq al-Awsat quoted the judge as saying during the court session.After completing the investigations, the Public Prosecution presented to the court that the plaintiff’s allegations came without evidence, according to Asharq al-Awsat’s report.“‎‏Rather, during the investigation of her case, she did not accuse certain persons or provide their descriptions to help with identifying them after claiming that she was blindfolded. In addition, she failed to prove she was transferred from Thahban prison (in western Saudi Arabia) to a secret location, or that she was subjected to torture and harassment. Further, the testimony of a number of officials and specialists in the prison, and the testimonies of a number of detainees with her in the prison during the period of her detention prove that she was not transferred outside the prison at any time during her detention nor was she subject to torture or ill-treatment,” Asharq al-Awsat’s report read.The Public Prosecution also confirmed to Asharq al-Awsat that video recording and surveillance cameras did not show the plaintiff being subjected to torture and being deprived of sleep during her hunger strike in al-Ha’ir prison in Riyadh.“Rather, she was dealt with in accordance with approved health protocols, under constant medical supervision to monitor her health case during the period of her hunger strike to ensure her safety and prevent potential complications that endanger her health as a result of her strike,” Asharq al-Awsat’s reported, citing the court.Asharq al-Awsat’s report also said that the accused is currently facing another separate security-related case “that has not yet been decided.”Read more:Saudi court releases four additional women accused of undermining securitySaudi court releases 3 women accused of undermining securitySaudi Arabia arrests 13 accused of planning terrorist attacks
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Riyadh court dismisses Saudi female prisoner’s torture, harassment claims

The United Arab Emirates’ Fatwa Council, the country’s highest Islamic authority, issued a ruling allowing Muslims to receive coronavirus vaccines even if they contain “non-halal ingredients” such as pork gelatin, the Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported on Tuesday.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.The fatwa, or Islamic ruling, comes amid growing concern among Muslims about whether the vaccine’s ingredients are permitted under Islamic law, according to WAM.“Coronavirus vaccination is classified under preventive medicines for individuals, as recommended by the Islamic faith, particularly in times of pandemic diseases when the healthy happen to be prone to infections due to the high risk of contracting the disease, therefore posing risk to the entire society,” the council said.Vaccines that contain ingredients that are considered “haram” or forbidden in Islam are not prohibited if there are no alternatives, according to the council.Since COVID-19 is a highly contagious disease that puts thousands of lives at risk, the use of the vaccines are acceptable, WAM cited the council as saying.Read more:Coronavirus: Dubai launches free COVID-19 vaccination campaign on Dec 23Abu Dhabi eases coronavirus restrictions from Dec 24: Everything you need to knowAbu Dhabi welcomes back intl tourists from 'Green' countries amid coronavirus: A listDubai on Tuesday announced that it would begin offering free coronavirus vaccines to the public starting from Wednesday.“Extensive vaccination campaign against COVID-19 kicks off in Dubai on Wednesday. Vaccination will use Pfizer-BioNTech’s vaccine and is free of charge,” Dubai’s Media Office quoted the committee as saying.
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus vaccine with ‘non-halal’ ingredients permissible for Muslims: UAE Council

President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that Turkey hopes to “turn a new page” in its ties with the United States and European Union, and that Ankara had been subjected to “double standards” by both its NATO ally Washington and the bloc.Earlier this month, Washington sanctioned Turkey over its acquisition of Russian S-400 missile defenses, and the EU also prepared punitive measures over Turkey’s dispute with members Greece and Cyprus over Mediterranean offshore rights.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.“Turkey is facing double standards both over the eastern Mediterranean and the S-400s. We wish for the EU to rid itself of the strategic blindness that is plaguing it as soon as possible,” Erdogan told lawmakers from his ruling AK Party.“I think (US President-elect Joe) Biden will show the necessary importance to Turkey-US ties,” he added.Read more:Turkey conducts exercises in Eastern Mediterranean amid tensions with neighborsErdogan tells Merkel Turkey wants to turn over new leaf with EU
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Turkey’s Erdogan says hopes to ‘turn new page’ in ties with US, EU in 2021

The United Arab Emirates on Wednesday reported 1,246 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of cases to 197,124, according to Emirates News Agency (WAM).Read the latest updates in our dedicated coronavirus section.The coronavirus death toll in the UAE rose by three to 645.The number of recoveries also rose on Wednesday by 1,533 to 172,984.WAM reported that the country has conducted 145,523 COVID-19 tests in the past 24 hours.The United Arab Emirates’ Fatwa Council, the country’s highest Islamic authority, issued a ruling allowing Muslims to receive coronavirus vaccines even if they contain “non-halal ingredients” such as pork gelatin, the Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported on Tuesday.Dubai will begin offering free coronavirus vaccines to the public starting from Wednesday, the emirate’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management announced on Tuesday.“Extensive vaccination campaign against COVID-19 kicks off in Dubai on Wednesday. Vaccination will use Pfizer-BioNTech’s vaccine and is free of charge,” Dubai’s Media Office quoted the committee as saying.Read more: Coronavirus vaccine with ‘non-halal’ ingredients permissible for Muslims: UAE CouncilCoronavirus: Dubai launches free COVID-19 vaccination campaign on Dec 23
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: UAE reports 1,246 COVID-19 cases, three deaths

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham has been trying to present itself as a moderate group seeking to have its name removed from the international terrorist list, but these attempts are failing after the United States recently designated it among the "Entities of Particular Concern."
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Despite attempt at makeover, Syria’s HTS remains on US terror list

Saudi Arabia on Wednesday detected 177 new coronavirus cases and 169 recoveries, the Ministry of Health reported.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.The total number of cases in the Kingdom was 361,536, while the total number of recoveries was 352,418.The number of coronavirus deaths in the country rose by nine to 6,148.Riyadh reported 59 cases on Wednesday, while Mecca had 31, and Medina had 26 COVID-19 cases.Citizens and residents of Saudi Arabia who received the COVID-19 vaccine have not shown any side effects and are “healthy and well,” the Kingdom’s Ministry of Health confirmed on Tuesday.The Kingdom began the first phase of its vaccination campaign on Thursday, with more than 440,000 volunteers receiving the vaccine so far.Read more: Coronavirus vaccine volunteers not showing any side effects: Saudi Arabia’s ministry
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia detects 177 COVID-19 infections

Egypt reiterated its support for Sudan following an attack by Ethiopian forces on Sudanese military troops near the border, at a time of deadlock between the three countries over the controversial dam Addis Ababa is building on the Blue Nile.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Egypt backs Sudan against Ethiopia amid Nile dam impasse

Nickolay Mladenov, who will be stepping down as Middle East peace envoy, has decided not to replace Ghassan Salame as head of UN mission in Libya..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: UN: Mladenov turns down offer to lead UN mission in Libya

The incident in Baghdad's Nisoor Square deeply strained US-Iraqi ties and marred the reputation of the paramilitary company.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Trump pardons Blackwater contractors convicted of Iraq massacre

Joe Biden to be lobbied to reverse Trump decision to pardon security guards jailed over massacre..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: ‘Our blood is cheaper than water’: Iraqis’ anger over Trump pardons