JEDDAH: The royal amnesty by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah for prisoners detained for petty crimes has contributed greatly to solving many cases at the Jeddah Summary Court, says Muhammad Ameen Mirdad, judge at the court.
Speaking to Arab News, he said all cases that came under the terms and conditions of the amnesty had been settled on the basis of Article 22 of the law. Cases will be settled on the basis of royal pardon, final verdict and the death of the defendant.
He said his court had not received any case related to the Nov. 25 Jeddah floods. “Even if we receive a case it will be returned until the committee set up by the king completes its investigations.”
The committee will identify the persons involved in causing so many deaths and so much destruction as a result of floods, the judge said, adding that the committee would present its report to the king.
Mirdad said there was a possibility of setting up a special court to look into cases related to the Jeddah floods. “I don’t think all officials and others questioned by the committee were guilty. The law allows the detention of an accused person for investigation.”
He said the period of detention was determined by the regulations related to criminal procedures.
“Investigators can increase the period of detention for months if it is necessary for the investigation and the accused may be declared innocent if there is no evidence to prove that he has committed a crime.”
