RIYADH — An official source in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the Kingdom expresses astonishment at what is being written in some media outlets with regards to the case of the Saudi citizen Raef Muhammad Badawi and the verdict issued against him, SPA said. The source also said the Kingdom ‘strongly disapproves' the reports on Badawi by these media outlets. While the Kingdom regrets the excessive attack by these media against it and its judicial system, it also rejects any interference in its internal affairs. It accepts neither any impingement on its sovereignty nor infringement on the independence and integrity of its judiciary. Judges have absolute power in passing verdicts, and all cases are dealt with impartially without discrimination or exception, the source said, adding the Kingdom does not accept any infringement in the name of human rights, especially since its constitution is based on the Shariah. The Kingdom is among the first countries to support human rights and has respected all international charters in conformity with Shariah. Despite these efforts, there are some international quarters and media that have regrettably squashed human rights principles of their sublime meaning and made an attempt to politicize it and attacking the sovereign rights of countries. This was done with criteria that cannot be described as anything but double standards and of selective nature in order to serve political ends. The Kingdom will not allow or accept such a matter at all. — SPA
