Riyadh – Saudi Minister of Justice Dr. Walid al-Samaani confirmed that his ministry has nothing to hide regarding terror issues or any other matter.

He told Asharq Al-Awsat that justice in Saudi Arabia deals with criminal trials, including those related to terrorism, like any other in which all fair standards are applied according to Islamic law, regulations and principles.

A suspect is tried according to the Saudi Arabian justice system and he has the right to hire a lawyer, who can attend all the investigation procedures and check all documents and his client’s minutes. He noted that the Ministry pays to hire a lawyer for suspects who cannot afford one.

Samaani said that his ministry has formed work teams to communicate, according to diplomatic means, with international parties, provide them with all what is related to judicial achievements with full transparency and answer all the questions regarding the justice system in Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi minister pointed out that the Justice Ministry has put a comprehensive plan to develop 70 major projects to raise the efficiency of the justice system, guarantee rights, provide judicial services, achieve work with good quality and proficiency and ensure implementation of the verdicts.

When told that the judicial authority in Saudi Arabia is subject to criticism by international human rights organizations, he stressed that his country does not accept the intervention of any party in its judicial affairs.

Regarding some western criticism on women’s rights, Samaani said that the Justice Ministry has opened doors for the recruitment of women in more than 300 posts in different fields, including guidance units, appointments and referrals administration and women’s conciliation cadres.

He also talked about 22 judicial rulings that have been executed in less than 72 hours from the date of their release. This marks a departure from the past when the implementation of the judicial rulings used to take several months, stressed Samaani.