This story, from Khaleej Times in Dubai, will put a dent in the reputation of the Saudi Shariah courts. Yes, it’s only the behavior of one judge, but the preferred portrayal of judges as wholly without fault and thus able to render divine justice is damaged. I somehow doubt this story will be picked up by the Saudi media, but it’ll be available to any who wish to find it online, globally.
UPDATE: Perhaps I’m too cynical about Saudi press freedoms. The story is carried in today’s issue of Arab News: Saudi judge arrested in Dubai on drug charge
UPDATE: August 6, 2008: Thanks to a commenter, I’m informed that the Saudi Ministry of Justice has sent out a press release denying that the person detained in Dubai is a judge. The Ministry states that his name does not appear on any of their rolls as a judge. Perhaps so; it’s not impossible that someone tried to claim high status to avoid legal problems. “Do you know who I am?” is something police everywhere hear far too often.” Perhaps not; shredders have made their way even into the Kingdom. I don’t think this story is finished. The Ministry’s statement (in Arabic) can be found here.
Saudi judge, wife held for possessing, using drugs
DUBAI – A senior Saudi judge and his wife were arrested here on Friday for allegedly possessing and using drugs, according to a Dubai police source.
He said that the accused was a judge who served as a head of Shariah court in Saudi Arabia. Currently in the custody of Bur Dubai police station, Hamad Salim bin Naif, the accused was arrested from a hotel in Bur Dubai. Some hashish was allegedly found in his possession at the time of his arrest, the source added.
The police acted on a tip off that the suspect had arrived in the UAE recently on a visit had hashish in his possession. The police CID officials tracked down the suspect and raided his room in the hotel on Friday night after seeking permission from the Dubai Public Prosecution, the source added. The police recovered 4 grammes of hashish from his bag. Both the accused and his wife were then referred to the Bur Dubai Police Station.
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August:05:2008 - 11:26
These are the people ordering chopping off heads. Lovely lovely
My red white and blue is waving outside my house and I feel good to be in the USA.
August:05:2008 - 17:07
Now he can order his own head to be chopped of!
Sparky, you are in America? Having a good time?
August:05:2008 - 17:20
Judges are human and will make mistakes like everyone else. This is the simple fact that the Saudi government seems to ignore when they give them sweeping powers to interpret Sharia without guidelines. Hopefully, this will add more fuel to the case of codification and judicial court structure.
The other thing to remember in this story is that the judge was caught in another country and was subject to discovery by the press in the UAE. Makes you wonder how many similar incidents of misconduct (drugs or otherwise) happen inside the country and get swept under the rug?
August:05:2008 - 21:46
I wonder if he ever held court over an accused drug user. If so, what was the decision and sentence?
Secondly, the article states:
Why did he have to confess on his wife’s behalf? Why drag her into this?
August:06:2008 - 00:20
Aafke heck yeah I am having fun. I sported the red white and blue on my head too. LOL. Easy rider baby let’s go back to the hippy days. I need a ride on the back of a harley.
No probleme about this judge we can use him to sweep and clean the floor.
August:06:2008 - 00:23
His Morroccan wife…do you see how these people live? Very glamorously………Of course the devil wife made him do it.
Now we know they are smoking up some shit we can challenge them on their points of view. We can test the waters to see if they high as a kite.
August:06:2008 - 05:59
The Ministry of Justice has issued a statement saying that the accused is not listed as a judge in their records and is investigating the matter further.
http://alwatan.com.sa/news/newsdetail.asp?issueno=2868&id=65110&groupID=0
Al Watan newspaper (Arabic)
August:06:2008 - 08:33
Thanks for providing that link. I’m sure the Ministry of Justice’s records are in perfect order… at least now.
August:06:2008 - 18:56
Sparky: you can have a ride on my Arab any time!
(wear a protective helmet)
August:06:2008 - 20:17
Hi Aafke
That is mighty generous of you. Thanks