JEDDAH: The Ministry of Justice has put an end to the use of the Absher system in case of family disputes, at times abused by Saudi nationals married to foreigners.
According to Saudi laws, foreigners living in the Kingdom must have a Saudi sponsor if they are to be issued residency permits.
In case of married couples, the Saudi citizen used to have the right to ask for a final exit visa for his/her spouse, under his/her sponsorship, and that right would sometimes be abused out of malicious motives.
Now, under the new measure taken by the ministry, a judge is empowered to allow non-Saudi spouses to stay in the Kingdom pending the completion of the divorce case.
The new regulation is the result of a study prepared jointly by representatives of the Ministry of Justice and the General Directorate of Passports (GDP) on disputes in couples where one of the spouse is foreigner and lives under the sponsorship of the Saudi citizen.
The foreign party can now ask the court to allow him/her to stay in the Kingdom until the case is settled. At the same time, the party requiring to stay in the country has the right to give power of attorney to some third party to follow up on the case
Article 25 of the Shariah law stipulates that if, during the hearing of the case of a defendant, an order is issued for his/her deportation, the court is empowered to determine the period required to complete the case and send it to the relevant authority.
Legal advisor Abdulaziz Al-Harthi told Arab News that the ministry’s new measure is a positive step for all parties, irrespective of their nationalities.
It stops Saudi citizens from exploiting the applicable regulations in the Kingdom and from disregarding the rights of others in case of a family dispute in which they are involved, he said.
He said such cases are widely witnessed in family courts, which deal, in the great majority, 65 percent, with divorce cases of mixed couples, he said.
He stressed that the new system protects foreign spouses, whether in terms of custody of children or financial rights in case of inheritance.
It also ensures the application of Shariah in protecting people's rights and the observation of the principle of justice irrespective of one's nationality, race or gender, he said.
Al-Harthi said the electronic link between the Ministries of Justice and Interior has immensely contributed to solving many problems.
Justice Ministry ends misuse of Absher in divorce cases between mixed couples
Justice Ministry ends misuse of Absher in divorce cases between mixed couples
UAE FM Sheikh Abdullah arrives in Riyadh to attend Syria meeting
- Welcomed at King Khalid International Airport by Saudi Deputy FM Waleed Al-Khuraiji
RIYADH: Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, the UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, arrived in Riyadh on Saturday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
He was welcomed at King Khalid International Airport by Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji.
Sheikh Abdullah is in the Kingdom to attend an expanded ministerial meeting on Syria to be hosted by Saudi Arabia on Sunday, SPA added.
Saudi Arabia condemns attack on Chad’s presidential palace
- The attack, which occurred on Wednesday, involved gunmen attempting to storm the palace
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Saturday strongly condemned the recent attack on the presidential palace in N’Djamena, Chad, which left 19 people dead, including a soldier guarding the complex, and injured others.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement reaffirming Saudi Arabia’s steadfast support for Chad’s security and stability, while rejecting any actions that threaten the country’s peace, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
In its statement, the Ministry extended heartfelt condolences to the family of the fallen soldier and to the government and people of Chad. The Kingdom also wished a swift recovery for those injured in the assault.
The attack, which occurred on Wednesday, involved gunmen reportedly linked to Boko Haram attempting to storm the presidential palace, prompting a fierce battle.
The Chadian government confirmed that 18 attackers from a 24-member commando unit were killed in the fighting, alongside one security personnel. Tanks were deployed to secure the area.
GCC secretary general receives New Zealand’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia
- Al-Budaiwi congratulated Kingston on his appointment as New Zealand’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, wishing him success in his duties
RIYADH: Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Al-Budaiwi recently received New Zealand’s Ambassador to the Kingdom Charles Kingston at the General Secretariat’s headquarters in Riyadh.
Al-Budaiwi congratulated Kingston on his appointment as New Zealand’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, wishing him success in his duties, the General Secretariat wrote in a report.
During the meeting, they also discussed a number of topics of mutual interest, notably the progress of negotiations for the free trade agreement between the GCC countries and updates on the joint action plan between the two sides. They also exchanged views on several regional and international issues.
Saudi authority issues health warning on food import
RIYADH: The Saudi Food and Drug Authority issued a warning about Country Butcher Boy beef pepperoni, manufactured in the UAE.
According to the Saudi Press Agency, the 250-gram packages with an expiration date of March 1, 2025, are contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium posing serious health risks, confirmed by lab tests.
The authority advised the public to avoid consuming the product and dispose of any units they may have.
Steps have been taken to remove the contaminated product from the market, and regulatory action is being pursued against the importing company, the SPA reported.
Violations of food laws can result in severe penalties, including up to 10 years in prison, fines of up to SR10 million ($2.6 million), or both.
The authority reiterated its commitment to food safety and will continue taking action against violators. Consumers can report food safety concerns to the authority’s call center at 19999.
Thai Embassy joins Riyadh greening initiative
RIYADH: The Royal Thai Embassy recently took part in a volunteer initiative at Aba Samri National Park in the Murat governorate of Riyadh region, in collaboration with the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification.
Part of the National Greening Season, the activity aims to enhance vegetation, curb land degradation, and plant native and adaptive species, supporting the Saudi Green Initiative, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The embassy’s involvement promotes vegetation restoration and aligns with the center’s call for broader environmental engagement from all sectors. The scheme improves air quality, reduces dust storms and restores ecosystems, the SPA added.
The National Greening Season, a core element of the broader program, fosters public-private partnerships, volunteerism, and awareness about afforestation and combating desertification.
The center leads efforts to protect and restore vegetation sites across Saudi Arabia, addressing challenges such as wildfires, illegal logging and unregulated grazing to safeguard natural ecosystems.
