Lawmakers insist on enjoying immunity

Source: Kuwait Times (Read full story)

The court order annulling the 2012 parliament and reinstating the 2009 one has greatly impacted investigations at the Public Prosecution Office where some MPs’ bank accounts are under scrutiny over millions-worth cash deposits. This is, of course, a procedure that requires lifting the parliamentary immunity of the lawmakers under scanner. A number of accused MPs’ lawyers made official requests to Public Prosecutor Dherar Al-Assousi, asking him to stop investigations and contact the National Assembly, requesting that parliamentary immunity be lifted before proceeding with the investigation.

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Gunmen storm Yemen ministry, seize Italian

Source: Gulf Times (Read full story)

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The interior ministry official said the tribesmen were Saleh loyalists, who were promised they would be enrolled in the police force in return for helping tackle last year’s uprising. The promise has not been fulfilled.
“At midday, the armed tribesmen… stormed the ministry building, took control of it and climbed onto the roof with their guns,” the official said. “They refuse to leave until their demands are met.”
Tribesmen have fought alongside government troops in a US-backed offensive against Al Qaeda-linked militants that drove insurgents out of several towns in the south of the country last month. Many tribal fighters also sided with Saleh.

Saudi Judo athlete to withdraw if hijab banned: paper

Source: Reuters (Read full story)

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Wojdan Ali Seraj Abdulrahim Shaherkani is due to compete in the +78 kg judo category on Friday. A Saudi official said earlier this month its female athletes would have to obey Islamic dress codes.

But last week, International Judo Federation (IJF) president Marius Vizer said Shaherkani would have to fight without a headscarf to comply with “the principle and spirit of judo”.

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