Tarham society provides free services to expats

Some thousands of expatriates and citizens with legal grievances, especially those in prison, often have to chase up the judicial system armed with little knowledge about the legal formalities. But a volunteer organization backed by the Makkah governor is now offering legal services free of cost to jailed inmates regardless of the nature of the crime or their nationality, according to an official.
“We are here to help both expatriates and Saudis whose families approach us, with legal aid and to help them to meet basic needs such as food, utility bills, etc. as their breadwinners are behind bars,” said Ashraf Al-Sarraj, head of the lawyers committee for legal help and welfare society for Tarham prisoners in Jeddah.
In an interview with Arab News, he said, “We are covering the Jeddah governorate. We have three offices in Jeddah. Our main office is located in Tahlia while one office is located inside the central prison of Briman and a court at the old Wataniya market.”
He said that similar legal aid societies are working in Riyadh and Dammam and some other parts of the Kingdom but the one in Jeddah is the largest in the country with over 25 eminent lawyers contributing their services as volunteers to needy people, free of charge.
He said that the society has two female attorneys on the panel, namely Bayan Zahran and Hanuf Ruba, to assist women.
“We receive requests for all kinds of cases ranging from check bouncing, forgery to murder and narcotic smuggling. Our general body meets to examine the cases which we then refer to prison, the court and bureau of prosecution,” Ashraf Sarraj said.
A prominent criminal lawyer himself, Al-Sarraj said that all 25 lawyers on his team have a good reputation and are doing well in their practice but they have decided to render their services to the poor and needy languishing in prisons.
He said that it was Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, then governor of Makkah region, who encouraged the group of lawyers to help the poor and needy which resulted in the formation of the society where Dr. Abdullah bin Mahfouz and Dr. Suhail played an important role.
He lauded the efforts and humanitarian approach of Col. Ahmed Shahrani, superintendent of Briman Prison, toward inmates and their families.
Al-Sarraj said that, “The Tarham society is not only focusing upon prisoners in their legal battle but also on their families who are suffering for no fault of their own. We are providing them with some financial help to pay for food and utility bills, medical expenses and even school fees.”
He added that, “In some cases we donate the required amount of money to settle disputes to pave the way for the prisoner’s release.”
Tarham Society chief said that “A person is innocent until he is proven guilty of the charge against him.” He also emphasized that a prisoner should not stay a day longer in prison after completing his sentence.
Ashraf Sarraj said that “It is not necessary for all released prisoners to be deported unless the judge orders it. But many of them prefer to return home.”
He said that anyone in need can approach their society during working hours from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the toll free number 920006065 or fax number 6711197.