Saudi Arabia: Two Lebanese students arrested on their return from Hajj

15 Oct 2009
On 28 January 2007, Alaa Ghazzaoui and Ahmed Rachid were returning to Lebanon from their pilgrimage (Hajj) to Mecca. While driving in a car with their friend Moheib al-Rachid, they were stopped by Saudi Intelligence services at a checkpoint near the Tabuk border crossing. According to sources, authorities presented a warrant for Moheib al-Rachid's arrest - however, they also took Mr. Ghazzaoui and Mr. Rachid into custody without presenting any legal document. Both have now been detained for over two years.

Alaa Eddine Fawzi Ghazzoui, 28, and Ahmed Rachid, 29, are Lebanese nationals, friends and fellow students at the Islamic University of Medina. Both were studying at the university on grants from the Saudi government. Alaa Ghazzaoui is paralyzed from the waist down and uses a wheel chair.

After their arrest, they were detained for eight months incommunicado at Tabuk prison. Finally, in August 2007, they were allowed to call their family when they were transferred to Al-Qasim Central Prison. They have not been charged nor have they been presented before a judge at any time during the 34 months since their arrest.

Ahmed Rachid's family wrote to the Saudi Ministry of Interior twice regarding their son's arrest, only to have them deny all knowledge of his imprisonment. However, they later admitted that they were holding him in Al-Qasim Central Prison. Mr. Rachid's family has been particularly affected by his detention as his father is partially paralyzed and both his brother and sister suffer from physical disabilities, making Ahmed the sole bread winner in the family.

On 15 October 2009, Alkarama submitted their cases to the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention of these cases in order that they be released or brought to justice. They continue to be detained despite there being no legal basis for their continued deprivation of liberty.

Saudi Arabia