Expats - Gulf Insider

2 years ago

Expat Among 3 Jailed For 5 Years In New Exam Paper Leak Case In Kuwait

A Kuwaiti court has sentenced three defendants including an expatriate to five years in prison each on charges of involvement in a leak of crucial high school examinations, the latest such case in the country. The Criminal Court handed down the sentencing to two Kuwaiti citizens convicted of involvement in the exam leak via WhatsApp groups in return for money. The court issued the same sentence against an Egyptian expatriate, who was tried in absentia in connection to the same case, which was not clear when it surfaced. The rulings can be appealed. In December, a Kuwaiti court handed down varying jail terms to four people in a similar case. At the time, the Criminal Court sentenced two Kuwaitis – a man and a woman – to 10 and seven years in prison respectively in the case. Another Kuwaiti man and an expatriate were each given one year in jail in the same case. The defendants were charged with leaking classified information and forgery through involvement in online cheat groups targeting secondary school students. Last November, a Kuwaiti court sentenced a citizen and an expatriate to 10 years in prison each after convicting them of involvement in online leaking of […]

2 years ago

Expat Remittances Surge In Saudi Arabia, Hit Two-year High

Monthly remittances of expatriates in Saudi Arabia reached SR11.9 billion in March, marking their highest in nearly two years, according to official figures. The remittances in March increased by 4 per cent against the same month last year, figures from the Saudi Central Bank showed. The rise marked the highest since June 2022, the bank noted, according to Saudi news website Akhbar24. Moreover, the remittances registered a SR2.6 billion increase or a 28per cent rise in March compared to February of the current year. In February, the expat remittances in the kingdom dropped by 4 per cent against the same month last year, the lowest in more than four years. The February remittances decreased to reach around SR9.3 billion, the lowest monthly transfers since June 2019. The kingdom is home to a large community of migrant workers. In recent years, Saudi Arabia has stepped up efforts to provide jobs to its citizens as part of an employment policy known as “Saudisation”. Last May, the Saudi General Authority for Statistics, citing a recent census, put the kingdom’s total population at 32.2 million with foreigners making up around 13.4 million or 41.5 per cent. Asian nationals from three countries accounted for over […]

2 years ago

Bahrain: Asian Trafficking Suspect On Trial

An Asian suspect is due to appear before the Criminal Court today following an investigation into a human trafficking case. This was announced by the Public Prosecutor, who also holds the position of Head of the Human Trafficking Prosecution. After thorough investigations, the Public Prosecutor has concluded inquiries into the human trafficking incident, signalling a crucial step in addressing such crimes. According to the findings from the Department of Combating Human Trafficking and the Protection of Public Morals, it was revealed that an individual of Asian nationality had brought a girl of the same nationality into Bahrain under the pretence of offering her suitable employment. However, upon arrival, her passport was confiscated, and she was coerced into engaging in prostitution.

2 years ago

Bahrain Cracks Down On Economic Fraud By Asians

The Interior Ministry in Bahrain has successfully apprehended multiple individuals of Asian descent involved in fraudulent economic activities. These scams primarily targeted unsuspecting individuals by contacting them, seizing their bank accounts, and transferring funds outside the Kingdom. Upon receiving numerous reports regarding these fraudulent activities, law enforcement swiftly initiated search, investigation, and evidence-gathering operations. As a result, the perpetrators were identified, apprehended, and subjected to legal proceedings, with the case subsequently referred to the Public Prosecution. The General Administration of Anti-Corruption and Economic and Electronic Security urges both citizens and residents to refrain from responding to such fraudulent calls. It’s important to note that banks will never request personal or banking information over the phone or other means. Individuals are advised to immediately contact their respective banks to halt account activities and file a report with the Economic Crimes Department if encounter fraud or deception. Reports can be lodged via the hotline 992, ensuring prompt action is taken to address the issue.

2 years ago

New Legislation To Prevent Debt-Ridden Expats From Leaving Bahrain

Bahrain’s Council of Representatives approved a draft law yesterday to prevent foreign workers with outstanding debts from leaving the country. This proposed legislation mandates that departing foreign workers must present a certificate confirming the absence of any outstanding debts before being allowed to exit Bahrain. The proposal received 24 votes in favour and two abstentions. Second Deputy Speaker Ahmed Qarata lauded the proposal, emphasising its role in safeguarding creditors’ interests and bolstering Bahrain’s financial stability. He stressed the need for regulations that protect business owners and curb fraudulent activities. The Ministry of Municipalities revealed that the total amount owed to creditors by foreign workers has reached BD5 million. However, similar to a proposal earlier this month, this draft law faces concerns regarding its potential impact on judicial discretion. Critics argue that prioritising debt settlement over deportation for foreign offenders, even in cases of serious crimes, could hinder judges’ ability to act in the best interest of public safety. In light of this, MP Jameel Mulla Hasan proposed the establishment of a judicial panel, similar to the system in the UAE. “Such a panel would aim to strike a balance between public and private interests, ensuring that Bahrain remains an attractive […]

2 years ago

5-year Jail And SR150,000 Fine For Expat For Harassing A Woman

JEDDAH — A Saudi court sentenced an expatriate, who is convicted of harassing a woman, to five years in prison and fines amounting to SR150,000. The Public Prosecution referred the case to the court after its Public Morality wing ended its investigations into the charges against the expatriate of harassing a woman. The accused was arrested and referred to the court. The Public Prosecution demanded the court to award him maximum penalties prescribed in the law for the crime committed by him. The Public Prosecution affirmed its keenness and determination to protect the society from any behavior that contradicts the public morality, saying that anyone who involves in harassment will face strict criminal accountability. The provisions of the Anti-Harassment Law stipulates that they will be applied in the event of happening of the crime of harassment in terms of any utterance, act or gesture of a sexual nature made by a person that impinges on another person’s body, honor or modesty by any means, including modern technologies. This law aims to combat the crime of harassment, prevent its occurrence, punish perpetrators and protect victims, in order to preserve the privacy, dignity and personal freedom of individuals guaranteed by the Islamic […]

2 years ago

UAE: Expat To Break Own Record Of ‘Greatest Distance Covered On E-Bike’ In 24hrs

Ali Abdo is deeply passionate about the environment and has committed himself to raising awareness about climate change. The 39-year-old Egyptian man is now on a mission to promote environmentally conscious transportation. Ali is also a sustainability ambassador and environmental champion who holds a number of world records, including the ‘world’s longest journey on an electric motorcycle’, which he completed in Egypt during his ‘Ride to COP27’ and ‘the greatest distance on an electric motorcycle in 24 hours’. The founder of Ride to 2030 is now aiming to rewrite one of his world records. Using his reliable electric motorbike, he is set to make a new world record for the greatest distance covered on an electric scooter in 24 hours. “This year, my initiative kicks off with a compelling event aimed at highlighting the significance of embracing sustainable transportation,” Ali said. Journey launch padHis mission from Dubai will serve as the launch pad for his journey to the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan. While undertaking the journey, he will cross the borders of Oman, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan. Ali will be travelling with an Emirati Terra scooter with a […]

2 years ago

SR500 Fine if Resident Fails to Obtain ID in Saudi Arabia in 90 Days

An expatriate must undergo a medical test to obtain a resident identification card in Saudi Arabia, authorities have said. The General Directorate of Passports said that the medical test is among the requirements for a foreigner to be issued a resident ID via the government platform Absher or Muqeem portal for his/her employer after also paying the related fees. A fine of SR500 is slapped on the expatriate who fails to obtain the resident ID in a maximum of 90 days after entering the kingdom, the directorate noted. Saudi Arabia, a country of around 32.2 million people, is home to a large community of foreign workers. Foreigners make up around 13.4 million or 41.5 per cent of the kingdom’s overall population, according to a recent census. Saudi authorities have recently introduced a set of facilities for expatriates. Foreign residents leaving on exit/re-entry visas can now return to Saudi Arabia until the last day of their valid visas. The General Directorate of Passports in August said exit/re-entry visa holders can also have their visas extended electronically while they are outside Saudi Arabia after paying related fees via Absher or Muqeem. The authorities pointed out that the expatriate’s passport should be valid […]

4 years ago

Why have Western societies become soft?

By Charlie H. Cooksey I can’t help but notice how societies, certainly those in the West, are becoming weaker. Never before have people been so “offended” or “hurt” by words and feelings and made so much noise about it. I say this because “problems and issues” we face today, are unfathomable or even laughable to those perhaps from the 20th century. Turn the clocks back and imagine the life of someone born in 1900 — WW1 breaks out when you’re 14 and ends with 22 million deaths. Shortly after, a truly deadly pandemic breaks out — Spanish Flu — it kills 50 million. If you come out of both of those alive, you’re still only 20. Then at 29, you face the Great Depression — causing worldwide unemployment, hunger and inflation. At age 33, the Nazis take power and at 39 WW2 kicks off, with around 60 million brutal deaths. Those who even managed to survive any of these wars lived a life of hunger, living on rations and often not knowing where the next meal would come from, watching loved ones die, and every other possible grief you could imagine. In fact, we probably can’t begin to imagine quite […]

4 years ago

How are women changing science in the MENA region?

Gulf Insider interviews the 14 L’Oréal-UNESCO for Women in Science Middle East winners. The L’Oréal-UNESCO for Women in Science Middle East Ceremony was held at Expo 2020 Dubai, honoring 14 women from the MENA region for their remarkable discoveries in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). For over 20 years, the Fondation L’Oréal and UNESCO have worked together to empower female scientists to achieve scientific excellence and to support them during their thesis or post-doctoral studies. With over 50 programmes including the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science, they support over 250 female researchers per year. Post-doctorate Researcher Category Nura Adam Mohamed (Qatar) What is the focus of your research and the purpose behind it? My research focus is in the nanomedicine field, a promising area that is attracting national and international interest, especially as the world is moving towards developing targeted therapeutics and personalized medicine. Particularly, I am focused on nanoparticles that have cardio-protective effects to be used as an advanced treatment method for cardiovascular diseases/complications associated with diabetes. Diabetes is one of the most common chronic metabolic disorders in Qatar, the Gulf region and the world, and cardiovascular complications are the most common complications of diabetes. Studies have shown […]

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Expat Among 3 Jailed For 5 Years In New Exam Paper Leak Case In Kuwait

Expat Remittances Surge In Saudi Arabia, Hit Two-year High

Bahrain: Asian Trafficking Suspect On Trial

Bahrain Cracks Down On Economic Fraud By Asians

New Legislation To Prevent Debt-Ridden Expats From Leaving Bahrain

5-year Jail And SR150,000 Fine For Expat For Harassing A Woman

UAE: Expat To Break Own Record Of ‘Greatest Distance Covered On E-Bike’ In 24hrs

SR500 Fine if Resident Fails to Obtain ID in Saudi Arabia in 90 Days

Why have Western societies become soft?

How are women changing science in the MENA region?

Recent Posts

Bahrain: 999 Call From 6-Year-Old Leads To Life-Saving Rescue Of Mother In Bahrain

Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) To Host Track Activities

Bahrain: Fake TikTok Friendship Ends In Court

Bahrain: New Conditions For Expats

Heritage Commission Announces Excavation Results Of Saudi-Chinese Mission At Al-Serrain Archaeological Site During 2025

Saudi Arabia: MOI Warns Of SR100,000 Fine For Transporting Visit Visa Holders To Makkah During Hajj

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