RIYADH, 30 June 2004 — Seven expatriate car washers were detained in a raid but later released, as part of occasional crackdowns on this section of casual labor. “Some of them were briefly detained and later released after their residence permits were found to be in order,” said two car washers, Mujahidul Islam and Majid Kutty. Islam, a Bangladeshi car washer, said those detained included four Bangladeshi nationals and an Indian.
RIYADH- The Supreme Commission for Tourism is to focus increasingly on the preservation of the Kingdom’s threatened historical sites, highlighting a recently restored palace in Taif as an example of the cultural attractions the Kingdom has to offer.
RIYADH, 10 June 2004 — Saudi authorities have freed 24 Filipinos, who had been in jail in Riyadh following convictions on drug charges. The Filipinos have been deported to the Philippines after being released from Al-Hair Prison following a royal clemency granted by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd. “A group of 14 Filipinos are still in the same prison on drug charges,” said Romulo Victor M. Israel, third secretary & vice consul at the Philippine Embassy.