Prisons are experiencing overcrowding due to an increase in the number of inmates and a delay in releasing inmates who have completed their sentences, the Kingdom’s prisons department chief has said.
The number of prisoners in central jails in Riyadh, Makkah and Jeddah is now nearly three times their capacity, local media reported quoting Maj. Gen. Ali Al-Harthi.
“The problem has been caused by a failure on the part of the Ministries of Justice and Health, as well as immigration officers and prosecutors, to cooperate with us. They have not taken any measures to ease the pressure on prisons,” he said.
“They continue to send to jail those who have not been sentenced yet and refuse to send those who are ill into quarantine to avert the spread of infection. In addition, many prisoners whose jail terms have expired also still remain in prison.”
Al-Harthi said around 6,300 inmates are currently serving time in Riyadh’s central prison even though the prison can accommodate only up to 1,800 people.
There are also 2,500 and 7,400 inmates at the central prisons of Makkah and Jeddah although they have a maximum capacity of 700 and 2,000 respectively, he added.
A large, modern and spacious prison is being built near the Makkah-Jeddah Highway, set to be the largest in the Kingdom.
Saudi Arabia is planning to integrate an electronic system that connects prison departments with prosecution offices and judiciaries in order to expedite the process of being released on bail or sentencing inmates. A significant number of expatriate workers are languishing in various prisons for road traffic accident-related death, forgery in residency permits and other crimes.
Some of them have completed their sentences but there are delays on the part of the judiciary and sponsors in processing paperwork for release, said Naaz Vokkam, who regularly visits Dammam central prison.
Echoing these views, Mohammed Saleem Basha, an Indian driver who had spent seven years in the Faraj and Khamis Mushait prisons in the southern province and who was released by King Abdullah for paying blood money, told Arab News that prisons in small cities where he had served his sentence are spacious and satisfactory.
According to a report, 47,000 prisoners are lodged in various prisons in Saudi Arabia, of which 23,000 are Saudi, while 24,000 are expatriates. Of the expatriate inmates, 2,158 are Pakistani, 1,691 are Indian, 1,046 Bangladeshi and 1,400 Egyptian.
Foreign diplomatic missions conduct regular visits to prisons. Visitors are also allowed to meet inmates two days a week without mobile phones and any objects inside dress pockets.
Inmates are allowed to continue their education and enroll for vocational training such as electrical repair, plumbing and computing, among other vocations. Inmates are also allowed to pursue sports activity inside the prisons.
All prisons are equipped with hospitals and medical facilities.
Royal pardons granting release are usually implemented during the month of Ramadan. Release can also be contingent upon the memorization of the Qur’an and good conduct.
Prisons overcrowded
Prisons overcrowded
Saudi art returns to Concentrico festival in Spain
- The installation will be open to the public at Plaza de la Diversidad in Logrono until June 24
DHAHRAN: The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, known as Ithra, returns with more Saudi-inspired art for the second year at the Concentrico International Festival of Architecture and Design in Spain.
The installation will be open to the public at Plaza de la Diversidad in Logrono until June 24.
This year, Ithra presents “Rooted in Warmth” by Saudi multimedia artist Raghad Al-Ahmed, alongside a sensory experience, “Summer Blessings,” by Saudi visual narrative studio Nclass.
Visitors are encouraged to interact with and even climb the structure to experience the connection between agriculture and community ties to nature.
The installation was created with more than 50 women artisans from Jouf, northern Saudi Arabia, inspired by Al-Ahmed’s roots in the Hejazi community, particularly Taif, where gatherings under tree shade are part of rural life.
The sensory experience “Summer Blessings” complements “Rooted in Warmth” by showcasing the diversity of local fruits and herbs.
Noura Al-Zamil, head of programs at Ithra, said: “We are proud to present Raghad Al-Ahmed’s work at Concentrico. Showcasing it at a leading European design festival reflects Ithra’s ongoing efforts to support creative expression.
“This initiative provides a platform for Saudi artists and artisans to share their work globally, enriching the cultural landscape. ‘Rooted in Warmth,’ combining personal and national identity with contemporary art, will encourage cross-cultural dialogue at the festival,” she added.
After its debut in Spain, “Rooted in Warmth” will be exhibited in Saudi Arabia as part of Tanween 2025 later this year.
Tanween, Ithra’s annual design event, highlights global design excellence and promotes creative innovation.
Raghadan Forest Park attracts summer visitors to Sarawat peaks
- Covering about 483,000 sq. meters and rising more than 1,700 meters above sea level, the park offers a mild climate and scenic views
RIYADH: Raghadan Forest Park, which is set on the slopes of the Sarawat Mountains just west of Baha city, is one of the region’s most prominent ecotourism destinations, the Saudi Press Agency recently reported.
Covering about 483,000 sq. meters and rising more than 1,700 meters above sea level, the park offers a mild climate and scenic views.
Located about 4 km from central Baha, it features green spaces, walking paths, shaded seating areas, and various recreational facilities.
The 20,000 sq. meter Bahjat Raghadan Park — a recent development by Baha Municipality — boasts an artificial waterfall, an open-air theater, children’s play areas, and the Lavender Garden, which connects to a central plaza and a 500-meter stone walkway.
Ali Al-Sawat, the Baha region’s governor, told the SPA that Raghadan Forest Park was “a leading environmental and tourism landmark in the region.”
He said this year’s developments included sidewalk upgrades covering 1,470 meters over an area of 3,870 sq. meters; an enhancement of an 11,500 sq. meter section of the park; and a new 230-meter walking path.
The park’s infrastructure supports high visitor volumes, with 384,787 sq. meters of green space, 1,230 parking spaces (including 42 for individuals with disabilities), 14 playgrounds, and 122 restrooms.
Raghadan Forest Park also hosts entertainment and cultural events in the Baha Summer Program to help enrich the experience of visitors while promoting domestic tourism.
Saudi Pavilion at Osaka Expo attracts a million visitors
- The full program of events for the Saudi Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka is available on the official website
The Saudi Arabia Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka has welcomed more than a million visitors since opening on April 13.
Designed by Foster + Partners, the pavilion, which the second largest after Japan, is a display of the Kingdom’s culture and heritage. It features more than 700 events, including live performances and dance shows.
The award-winning pavilion shares Saudi Arabia’s transformative journey under Vision 2030, highlighting the kingdom’s innovation and technological modernization. Additionally, the pavilion offers an exciting visitor journey by means of seven immersive rooms and galleries where guests can see up close the Kingdom’s global impact.
“We are honored to mark this significant milestone and the Saudi Arabia pavilion’s success in reaching one million visitors, which underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to showing its transformation under Vision 2030 and inviting the world to experience its heritage and foster cultural exchange,” said Ghazi Faisal Binzagr, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Japan and commissioner general of the Saudi Arabia Pavilion.
“As we move towards reaching the next million, the pavilion remains committed to inspiring visitors to learn about Saudi Arabia’s achievements, and we look forward to deepening impact and welcoming the world. Our participation in Expo 2025 Osaka embodies our strong relationship with Japan, marking 70 years of diplomatic relations this year.
“As we journey towards Expo 2030 in Riyadh, we will leave a legacy here in Osaka. Expo 2030 Riyadh will be a testament to Saudi Arabia’s transformation as a global destination — and we are eager to welcome the world to Saudi Arabia,” he added.
The full program of events for the Saudi Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka is available on the official website.
Saudi Arabia says ‘no radioactive effects’ detected in Gulf after US strikes on Iran
- Saudi Arabia’s Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Commission said Sunday that “no radioactive effects were detected” in the Kingdom and the Gulf region
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Commission said Sunday that “no radioactive effects were detected” in the Kingdom and the Gulf region as a result of the US military targeting of Iran’s nuclear facilities.
“No radioactive effects were detected on the environment of the Kingdom and the Arab Gulf states as a result of the American military targeting of Iran’s nuclear facilities,” the commission wrote on its official account on X.
لم يرصد أي آثار إشعاعية على بيئة المملكة، ودول الخليج العربية؛ نتيجة الاستهدافات العسكرية الأمريكية لمرافق إيران النووية.
— هيئة الرقابة النووية والإشعاعية (@SaudiNRRC) June 22, 2025
Kuwait’s National Guard also said that “radiation levels in Kuwait’s airspace and waters are stable and the situation is normal” according to a statement on KUNA News Agency.
The Egyptian Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Authority confirmed on Sunday that the country is far from any direct impact resulting from targeting uranium enrichment and conversion facilities in Iran.
Qatar’s Environment and Climate Change ministry also said it has not detected any abnormal radiation levels in the country’s airspace or territorial waters.
The United States on Sunday attacked three Iranian nuclear sites, including the underground uranium enrichment facility at Ford, following days of speculation over whether the US military would join its ally Israel’s bombing campaign.
Saudi Arabia voices ‘great concern’ over US strikes on Iran, leads calls for restraint, de-escalation
- UN chief says US attacks a ‘direct threat to international peace and security’
- Other countries began reacting Sunday with calls for diplomacy and words of caution
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia expressed on Sunday its “great concern” following US attacks on Iranian nuclear sites, according to a statement by the foreign ministry on X.
The Saudi ministry statement “affirmed its condemnation and denunciation of violating the sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran, expressing the need to exert all efforts to exercise restraint, de-escalate, and avoid escalation.”
The Kingdom also called on the international community to boost efforts in such “highly sensitive circumstances” to reach a political solution to end the crisis.
UAE
The United Arab Emirates urged on Sunday an immediate halt to escalation to “avoid serious repercussions” in the region following strikes by the US on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
It warned that such actions could lead the region to “new levels of instability,” according to a statement from the foreign ministry.
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed held phone calls with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as well as the leaders of Kuwait and Qatar to discuss the latest developments following the attacks on Iran.
The conversations focused on the need to de-escalate tensions and restore regional stability, with all sides urging restraint and a return to dialogue and diplomacy, Emirates News Agency reported.
Egypt
Egypt has expressed deep concern over the recent developments in Iran, warning of the risks posed by a rapidly escalating situation that could threaten the security and stability of the entire region.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Egypt said the ongoing escalation could have serious consequences for both regional and international peace.
The statement stressed the importance of respecting the sovereignty of states and adhering to the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law.
Egypt called on all concerned parties to exercise restraint, prioritize dialogue, and pursue peaceful solutions, emphasizing that resorting to military options would only lead to greater instability.
Qatar
Qatar, host of the biggest US military base in the Middle East, on Sunday said it feared serious repercussions after US air strikes on nuclear facilities in Iran.
The foreign ministry “warns that the current dangerous escalation in the region may lead to catastrophic consequences at both the regional and international levels”, a statement said.
“It calls on all parties to exercise wisdom, restraint, and to avoid further escalation.”
Statement | Qatar Regrets the Deterioration of the Situation with the Strikes on Iranian Nuclear Facilities#MOFAQatar pic.twitter.com/U0oXEIKjP3
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Qatar (@MofaQatar_EN) June 22, 2025
Oman
Oman, which was mediating nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran, on Sunday strongly condemned US strikes on nuclear sites in Iran.
The Gulf sultanate “expresses deep concern, denunciation and condemnation of the escalation resulting from the direct air strikes launched by the United States on sites in the Islamic Republic of Iran”, the official Oman News Agency said.
A spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry expressed deep concern and condemnation regarding the escalation resulting from the direct airstrikes conducted by the United States on sites in the Islamic Republic of Iran. pic.twitter.com/vXBy9nMpqV
— وزارة الخارجية (@FMofOman) June 22, 2025
Lebanon
Lebanese president Joseph Aoun, in statement released by the Lebanese Presidency on X, meanwhile said: “Lebanon, its leadership, parties, and people, are aware today, more than ever before, that it has paid a heavy price for the wars that erupted on its land and in the region. It is unwilling to pay more, and there is no national interest in doing so, especially since the cost of these wars was and will be greater than its ability to bear.”
“The bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities raises fears of an escalation of tensions that could threaten security and stability in more than one region and country.
“The President of the Republic calls for restraint and the launch of constructive and serious negotiations to restore stability to the countries of the region and avoid further killing and destruction,” the statement added.
Iraq
Iraq warned on Sunday that the US attacks on its neighbor Iran’s nuclear facilities threaten peace and stability in the Middle East.
Iraq “expresses its deep concern and strong condemnation of the targeting of nuclear facilities” in Iran, government spokesperson Basim Alawadi said. “This military escalation constitutes a grave threat to peace and security in the Middle East and poses serious risks to regional stability,” he added.
UN
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres meanwhile slammed US President Donald Trump’s decision to order US military strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities as a “dangerous escalation.”
“I am gravely alarmed by the use of force by the United States against Iran today. This is a dangerous escalation in a region already on the edge – and a direct threat to international peace and security,” he said in a statement.
“There is a growing risk that this conflict could rapidly get out of control – with catastrophic consequences for civilians, the region, and the world,” he said.
READ: Transcript of Trump’s speech on US strikes on Iran
Guterres called on member states to de-escalate and to uphold their obligations under the UN Charter and other rules of international law.
“At this perilous hour, it is critical to avoid a spiral of chaos. There is no military solution. The only path forward is diplomacy. The only hope is peace,” he said.
The president of the UN General Assembly, Philemon Yang, also issued a statement, saying he was "deeply alarmed" by the attacks.
“I reiterate that we cannot afford further military escalation in the Middle East. I call on all parties to engage in diplomacy and pursue dialogue in order to settle any disputes in accordance with the UN Charter and international law,” he said.
“Military might does not bring durable peace, dialogue does. The people in the Middle East need peace and not more wars,” he added.
Other countries began reacting Sunday with calls for diplomacy and words of caution:
Turkiye
Turkiye warned Sunday the US strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities risked escalating the Iran-Israel conflict to a global level that could have “catastrophic” consequences.
“The ongoing developments could cause the regional conflict to escalate to a global level. We do not want this catastrophic scenario to come to life,” the foreign ministry indicating Turkiye was “deeply concerned about the possible consequences.”
India
India’s prime minister Narendra Modi said on X that spoke with Irans President Masoud Pezeshkian: “We discussed in detail about the current situation.
“Expressed deep concern at the recent escalations. Reiterated our call for immediate de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy as the way forward and for early restoration of regional peace, security and stability.”
Spoke with President of Iran @drpezeshkian. We discussed in detail about the current situation. Expressed deep concern at the recent escalations. Reiterated our call for immediate de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy as the way forward and for early restoration of regional…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 22, 2025
Pakistan
Pakistan, in a statement, said it “condemns the US attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities which follow the series of attacks by Israel. We are gravely concerned at the possible further escalation of tensions in the region.”
“We reiterate that these attacks violate all norms of international law and that Iran has the legitimate right to defend itself under the UN Charter.
PR No.
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) June 22, 2025
Pakistan Condemns the US Attacks on the Nuclear Facilities of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
https://t.co/2qpo27WzVQ pic.twitter.com/ugtFomQ5HO
“The unprecedented escalation of tension and violence, owing to ongoing aggression against Iran is deeply disturbing. Any further escalation of tensions will have severely damaging implications for the region and beyond.”
Russia
Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, said on Sunday that US President Donald Trump had started a new war for the US by attacking Iran.
“Trump, who came in as a peacemaker president, has started a new war for the US,” Medvedev wrote on his Telegram channel.
UK
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called on Iran to “return to the negotiating table” over its nuclear ambitions after the US carried out strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
“Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and the US has taken action to alleviate that threat,” Starmer said on X, adding that “stability in the region is a priority”.
“We call on Iran to return to the negotiating table and reach a diplomatic solution to end this crisis.”
France
French foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot said Sunday that France had “taken note with concern of the strikes carried out last night by the United States of America against three sites in Iran's nuclear program.”
He also said that France was neither involved in these strikes nor in their planning.
“We urge the parties to exercise restraint in order to avoid any escalation that could lead to an extension of the conflict,” the statement said.
“In this context, our priority is to ensure the safety of our agents and nationals, as well as that of our interests and partners in the region,” it added.
France has repeatedly expressed its firm opposition to Iran gaining access to nuclear weapons.
“France is convinced that a lasting solution to this issue requires a negotiated solution within the framework of the Treaty of Non-Proliferation. We remain ready to contribute to this in conjunction with our partners,” the statement said.
“France has taken due note of the statement by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which confirms at this stage that no high level of radiation has been detected.”
European Union
The European Union’s top diplomat said Iran must not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon but she urged those involved in the conflict to show restraint.
“I urge all sides to step back, return to the negotiating table and prevent further escalation,” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said in a post on social media.
Kallas will chair a meeting of the 27-nation bloc’s foreign ministers in Brussels on Monday, with the Israel-Iran war high on the agenda.
New Zealand
New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters urged “all parties to return to talks.”
He wouldn’t tell reporters Sunday whether New Zealand supported President Trump’s actions, saying they had only just happened.
The three-time foreign minister said the crisis is “the most serious I’ve ever dealt with” and that “critical further escalation is avoided.”
“Diplomacy will deliver a more enduring resolution than further military action,” he said.
Italy
Italy’s foreign minister Antonio Tajani, on state broadcaster RAI, said: “Now we hope that, after this attack, which caused massive damage to nuclear weapons production and posed a threat to the entire region, a de-escalation can begin and Iran can sit down at the negotiating table.”
China
A flash commentary from China’s government-run media asked whether the US is repeating “its Iraq mistake in Iran.”
The online piece by CGTN, the foreign-language arm of the state broadcaster, said the US strikes mark a dangerous turning point.
“History has repeatedly shown that military interventions in the Middle East often produce unintended consequences, including prolonged conflicts and regional destabilization,” it said, citing the American invasion of Iraq in 2003.
It said a measured, diplomatic approach that prioritizes dialogue over military confrontation offers the best hope for stability in the Middle East.
Japan
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba told reporters Sunday it was crucial to calm the situation as soon as possible, adding that the Iranian nuclear weapons development also must be prevented.
Ishiba, asked if he supports the US attacks on Iran, declined to comment. He was speaking to reporters after an emergency meeting with officials from key ministries over the US military action.
Ishiba said officials are still assessing details and doing their utmost to protect the safety of the Japanese nationals in Iran, Israel and elsewhere in the region.
While the US attacks on Iran do not affect Japan’s stable energy supply for the time being, Ishiba said, he has instructed officials to “watch the development with a sense of urgency and take every precaution” to prevent an increase in oil and utility costs ahead of the summer when energy demand rises.
South Korea
South Korea’s presidential office said it would hold an emergency meeting Sunday to discuss the security and economic ramifications of the US strikes and potential South Korean responses.
Australia
Australia, which shuttered its embassy in Tehran and evacuated staff Friday, continued to push for a diplomatic end to the conflict.
“We have been clear that Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile program has been a threat to international peace and security,” a government official said in a written statement. “We note the US President’s statement that now is the time for peace.”
“The security situation in the region is highly volatile. We continue to call for de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was predictably all praises for Trump’s decision.
“Your bold decision to target Iran’s nuclear facilities, with the awesome and righteous might of the United States, will change history,” he said in a video message directed at the American president.
Netanyahu said the US “has done what no other country on earth could do.”
Israel’s Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon also thanked Trump for his “historic decision to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. Today, President Trump proved that ‘Never Again’ is not just a slogan — it’s a policy.”
In Washington, Congressional Republicans — and at least one Democrat — immediately praised Trump after he announced his fateful attack order.
“Well done, President Trump,” Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina posted on X. Texas Sen. John Cornyn called it a “courageous and correct decision.” Alabama Sen. Katie Britt called the bombings “strong and surgical.”
Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin posted: “America first, always.”
The Senate Armed Services Committee chairman, Roger Wicker of Mississippi, said Trump “has made a deliberate — and correct — decision to eliminate the existential threat posed by the Iranian regime.”
Wicker posted on X that “we now have very serious choices ahead to provide security for our citizens and our allies.”
The quick endorsements of stepped up US involvement in Iran came after Trump had publicly mulled the strikes for days and many congressional Republicans had cautiously said they thought he would make the right decision. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Saturday evening that “as we take action tonight to ensure a nuclear weapon remains out of reach for Iran, I stand with President Trump and pray for the American troops and personnel in harm’s way.”
Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, were briefed ahead of the strikes on Saturday, according to people familiar with the situation and granted anonymity to discuss it.
Johnson said in a statement that the military operations “should serve as a clear reminder to our adversaries and allies that President Trump means what he says.”
House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rick Crawford, R-Arkansas, said he had also been in touch with the White House and “I am grateful to the US servicemembers who carried out these precise and successful strikes.”
Breaking from many of his Democratic colleagues, Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, an outspoken supporter of Israel, also praised the attacks on Iran. “As I’ve long maintained, this was the correct move by @POTUS,” he posted. “Iran is the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism and cannot have nuclear capabilities.”
Both parties have seen splits in recent days over the prospect of striking Iran. Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie, a Republican and a longtime opponent of US involvement in foreign wars, posted on X after Trump announced the attacks that “This is not Constitutional.”
Many Democrats have maintained that Congress should have a say. The Senate was scheduled to vote as soon as this week on a resolution by Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine requiring congressional approval before the US declared war on Iran or took specific military action.
Connecticut Rep. Jim Himes, the top Democrat on the House intelligence panel, posted on X after Trump’s announcement: “According to the Constitution we are both sworn to defend, my attention to this matter comes BEFORE bombs fall. Full stop.”
