Two people alleged by Saudi prosecutors to have been working with Egyptian lawyer Ahmed al-Gizawy to smuggle and distribute drugs in Saudi Arabia have denied the accusations leveled against them.
Gizawy, a human rights activist who previously sued the Saudi king and authorities over treatment of Egyptian prisoners in the kingdom, was detained by Saudi authorities on drug-smuggling charges on 17 April.
Saudi newspaper Al-Madina said the two alleged partners, a Saudi pharmacist and an Egyptian accountant, have denied receiving drugs from Gizawy and denied knowing him.
The Saudi prosecution is currently questioning all the suspects in the case. The process is expected to be completed within the next few days.
A representative of the Saudi government-funded National Society for Human Rights, Suleiman bin Salem al-Hunaini, said he is attending the questioning of all the suspects. He has met with the prosecutor and the head of the prosecution’s drugs department to discuss the details of the case, he added.
Gizawy’s arrest triggered protests at the kingdom’s diplomatic missions to Egypt, which resulted in their closure and the Saudi ambassador’s withdrawal. The ambassador returned after an Egyptian delegation flew to Saudi Arabia to ease tensions.
Saudi Arabia also pledged to deliver previously agreed-on financial aid to Egypt, the first part of which is scheduled to be delivered in June.
During the delegation’s visit, Egyptian People’s Assembly Speaker Saad al-Katatny told Saudi newspaper Okaz that Parliament will not interfere in Gizawy’s case and that it has confidence in the Saudi judiciary.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
