DAMMAM: Fifty Saudi prisoners in prisons across Jordan have requested to finish serving their sentences at home, Arabic daily Al-Madinah reported.
Hamad Al-Hajri of the Saudi Embassy of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques in Amman said Saudi Arabia and Jordan have signed an agreement to swap prisoners but nothing has been done yet.
“The agreement, endorsed by the Jordanian Parliament and the House of Representatives has not been put into effect,” he said.
Saudi Embassy staff visit prisoners monthly to monitor their health and distribute clothes and cash. “Acute cases are transferred to the local hospital,” he said.
Al-Hajri noted many Saudis especially from the northern areas of the Kingdom are visiting Jordan for medical tourism and medical bills to be paid by the embassy add up to more than SR 7 million.
He said there were no security risks for the Saudi tourist in Jordan except for some petty crime like car theft. “The embassy has taken their concern to the Jordanian foreign ministry who promises to deal with it at the highest security level,” Al-Hajri said.
The Saudi embassy warns tourists not to withdraw large amounts of cash from ATMs and not leave their cars running when they are not in them.
“These actions give thieves the opportunity they are looking for,” he warned.
He reminds Saudi citizens to provide the embassy with their identification information when they first arrive in the country. In case of a lost or stolen passport, the embassy is able to respond quickly.
“Saudis who have cases before the courts should make sure they attend the first court session or they run the risk of being arrested at the border next time they try to enter the country,” he added.
Al-Hajri said the embassy is also helping Saudis who are fleeing the fighting in Syria and crossing over into Jordan. They will arrange for accommodation and travel back to home.
Saudi prisoners in Jordan ask to finish sentences at home
