By Adnan Shabrawi
Okaz/Saudi Gazette
JEDDAH — Public Prosecutor Saud Al-Mujib has activated a law that incriminates police officers who arrest innocent people, whether citizens or expatriate residents, as suspects in criminal cases.
Activating Article 25 of the penal code is important for preserving the rights of citizens and residents, said Omar Al-Khouli, a professor of law at King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah.
"The article states that arresting any citizen and resident for a crime without sufficient proof is a misdemeanor. There have been numerous incidents where innocent people were arrested and even imprisoned without a legal charge. This must be rectified and the ones who wronged must be served justice," said Al-Khouli.
Lawyer Saeed Al-Malki said the Public Prosecution is a legal entity that has responsibility to protect the rights people in society.
"I hope the Public Prosecution will update and modify its legal charter to accommodate new developments in society and its legal authorities. Police officers are prohibited from physically, verbally or psychologically abusing the people they take into custody," said Al-Malki.
He added that police officers were prohibited from arresting, frisking, or imprisoning anyone without clear proof against them for committing a legal offense.
"Police officers are prohibited from having people sign on any penal documents until they are proven guilty after a hearing was held. Moreover, the suspect has the right to consult a lawyer during the arrest and trial," said Al-Malki.
Lawyer and legal consultant Fahd Mahboub said giving the public prosecutor autonomous powers, separately from other judicial and law enforcement bodies, was very important for the activation of Article 25 of the penal law.
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman issued an order in June renaming the Bureau of Investigation and Public Prosecution and making it an independent body reporting directly to the King.
According to the royal order, a Cabinet experts committee was given three months to review in conjunction with relevant authorities the regulations of the Bureau of Investigation and Public Prosecution, the code of criminal procedures and other relevant regulations and orders, and propose amendments.
King Salman also relieved Sheikh Mohammad Al-Areeni, president of the Bureau of Investigation and Public Prosecution, of his post, and appointed Al-Mujib as Public Prosecutor with ministerial rank.
"Hitherto, there were no ramifications against police officers who wrongly arrested innocent civilians, including both citizens and residents. There will be other changes occurring in the prosecution authority now that it has autonomy," said Mahboub.
