Authorities are interrogating a Saudi pharmacist and an Egyptian accountant to uncover more evidence in the Al-Jizawee case. Investigations carried out thus far by Bureau of Investigation and Prosecution in Jeddah with the defendant Ahmad Al-Jizawee have centered around documents about the consignment, media reports said. In his testimony Tuesday — in the presence of representatives from the Egyptian consulate in Jeddah — Al-Jizawee contended that he had no knowledge that the medicines were classified as drugs. Ahmad Al-Rashid, Al-Jizawee's lawyer, said his client had no ulterior motives and this could be corroborated by the receipts and documents in his possession. He said his client had attested his testimony before the court that he actually carried the medicines without knowing that they fall under the category of contraband drugs banned in Saudi Arabia. Sources emphasized that the investigations would not last more than 30 days effective from the day of his detention on April 29. The case will be referred to the Shariah Court in Jeddah once investigations are completed. The Anti–Narcotic and Mental Stimulants System in the Kingdom empowers respective authorities to allow entry and exit of narcotic substances through the Kingdom's borders. The system requires an export and import license issued by the Ministry of Health which is usually valid for a year but is renewable. The license must include full details and particulars of licensed persons.
