Both Arab News and Saudi Gazette report that two members of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice were released from jail where they were being held during investigation of their part in a fatal crash. The release comes as the result of a challenge to their detention by their attorney who (apparently correctly) noted that the investigative authority does not have the power to order detention.

Saudi Gazette also reports that Commission members involved in the case of Al-Huraisi, who died in Commission custody, had the dismissal of their case confirmed by a court. An appeal is planned.

Arab News:

Vice Cops Detained Over Accident Deaths Walk Free
Yusuf Muhammad, Arab News

MADINAH, 15 May 2008 — Two members of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice who were arrested in connection with the deaths of four people in an accident on Khaleel Road near Madinah were released yesterday, their lawyer said.

“The two commission members were released on Wednesday after 36 days in detention as there is no legal basis to continue detaining them at the present stage of the case,” said Sultan ibn Zahim, the lawyer representing the two men.
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Saudi Gazette:

Commission staffers’ lawyer challenges CIP ruling

MADINA – Commission for Investigation and Prosecution (CIP) here was accused of breaching a penal law which prevents unlawful detention of any person.

The accusation was made by Sultan Bin Zahim, the lawyer of the two staffers of the Commission for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, who were detained for alleged involvement in an accident in Madina’s Kholail area. The accident on March 30 resulted in the death of two men, a woman and her daughter.
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