Bangkok: Missing Al-Ruwaili's fate 'more important than diamonds'

[webfact]

Al-Ruwaili's Fate 'More Important Than Diamonds'
By Khaosod English


Mr. Abdulelah Alsheaiby

BANGKOK: -- The Saudi Arabian government's decision of whether to renew its relationship with Thailand depends on the verdict in the decades-long case of the missing Saudi businessman, which is due next Monday, its top diplomat said.

The case dated back to the shadowy "Blue Diamond" in the late 1980s, when several Thai citizens were allegedly involved in stealing numerous jewels from a Saudi Arabian palace, including a blue diamond reputed to belong to the Faisal Royal Family.

The diamonds were never fully recovered, and many Thais whispered the rumour that some of the jewels - including the prestigious Blue Diamond - are currently in the possession of highly influential figures.

The theft was also accompanied by the spate of murders and abduction of individuals thought to be connected to the incident. In 1989, three Saudi diplomats were shot dead in Bangkok, and three months earlier Mr. Mohammad Al-Ruwaili, a Saudi business with connection to the Faisal Royal Family, went missing.

The government of Saudi Arabia retaliated by freezing diplomatic ties with Thailand and imposing many penalties, such as severe travel and work quota restriction.

Neither the murders of the diplomats nor the disappearance of Mr. Al-Ruwaili were ever solved, though, following a retrial in 2010, a group of police officers are facing charges of abducting and murdering Mr. Al-Ruwaili. The defendants deny the allegation.

The court ruling is scheduled on 31 March, 24 years after Mr. Al-Ruwaili was last seen in Bangkok, and Mr. Abdulelah Alsheaiby, Charge d'Affaires of Saudi Arabia to Thailand, told Khaosod in an exclusive interview at the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia yesterday that the verdict might held the two nations resume normal relationship after the long thaw lasting for two decades.

"[The verdict] is very important," Mr. Alsheaiby said, "The effort to restore the relationship between the two countries back to normal depends on this case,"

The head of the Saudi mission stressed that the government and the family of Mr. Al-Ruwaili are not looking for any particular result, whether guilty or not-guilty, as they are only seeking "justice" from the Thai authorities, after decades of silence over the case.

"We have told the Thai officials many times that our relationship will be back to normal if justice is done," Mr. Alsheaiby went on, adding that he is hopeful that such justice will be shown next Monday in front of relatives of Mr. Al-Ruwaili, who would be flying in from Saudi Arabia to attend the ruling.

However, Mr. Alsheaiby's optimism has been somewhat marred by reports that a judge who had presided over the case for three years was abruptly replaced weeks ago. The head of the Saudi mission claimed that the Thai authorities gave no explanation, and that he discovered about the alleged judge replacement from the lawyer representing Mr. Al-Ruwaili's family

Asked about the reports of judge change, officials at the Criminal Court refused to comment on the news, stating that they are not informed about the matter.

"We trust them, but now we want to know why," Mr. Alsheaiby said, "There's no explanation at all".

Once the verdict has been read, Mr. Alsheaiby told our correspondent, the Saudi government, including a special commission appointed by the King of Saudi Arabia himself, will deliberate on the next action.

A "positive" result would spur a move to normalise the diplomatic ties between the two kingdoms, Mr. Alsheaiby promised, while a "negative" one might be met with further legal appeal either from the Saudi government or the family of Mr. Al-Ruwaili, although the diplomat insisted it is too early to specify.

He also asked the Thai public to understand that the clarity of Mr. Al-Ruwaili's case is very important to the Saudis, as all previous incidents - such as the jewelry theft and murders of the Saudi diplomats - already ended in mystery in which no one was held accountable. "This is our last hope to see justice," Mr. Alsheaiby said.

He added, "It's been 24 years. We want to know who killed our people. Saudi blood is not cheap. It's unacceptable that no one has been responsible for so long".

When asked about the connection between the disappearance of Mr. Al-Ruwaili and the elusive diamonds, Mr. Alsheaiby acknowledged that he has been asked by so many Thais about the matter, but he insisted that their focus has been misplaced.

"Everyone always asked about the diamonds, but life is more important," Mr. Alsheaiby explained, "We don't want the diamonds back. We just want to see justice, We just want to know what happened to Mr. Al-Ruwaili".

"That life is a diamond to us," Mr. Alsheaiby said.

Source: http://en.khaosod.co.th/detail.php?newsid=1395921773&section=11&typecate=06


-- Khaosod English 2014-03-28

[clockman]

Unless they can get a fall guy! Or until all persons have died. T.I.T. Should write a book.

[LomSak27]

250,000 -plus - thai workers were sending back over a billion a year (USD) in the 80s and greed of the police and elites killed it..

Gee I hope those Red supporters up in Issaan dont remember that

ooops

[LomSak27]

Oh, a Khaosod article, yes it is to be expected that The Nation we see fit to NOT mention this, hah.

[Bluespunk]

"This is our last hope to see justice," Mr. Alsheaiby said."

This from a country where hundreds of guest workers [slaves in reality] are killed, raped, assaulted and abused every year. Hypocrite.

[tomyummer]

Just offer an ugly amount of reward money and the Thais will start singing like canaries.

And get the 'highly influential figures' to get on their hands and knees to present the missing blue diamond to you while kissing your feet. Don't give in!

Edited March 28, 2014 by tomyummer

[Chang_paarp]

"This is our last hope to see justice," Mr. Alsheaiby said."

This from a country where hundreds of guest workers [slaves in reality] are killed, raped, assaulted and abused every year. Hypocrite.

The Saudis are just as jingoistic as the Thais. The difference is the Saudis have the money to make others take notice.

[chainarong]

The DSI can't even figure out who is involved in the luxury car parts scam or what happened to the UN human rights lawyer, who disappeared , so how the hell is anything from 1989 , when the Junta was in power , going to be solved , DSI couldn't find their way out of a weeties box without following instructions.

[laurentbkk]

This is a little stone in the shoe for Thailand ..... it has been on and on for decade ... I am pretty sure many people dont want the truth to come out ...

[noitom]

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Unless they can get a fall guy! Or until all persons have died. T.I.T. Should write a book.

The Thais will come up with a fall guy and throw him under the bus. Too bad. The Saudis should stand on their ground on these Thai crimes. The Saudis should never have stated we don't want the diamonds back.

[Halion]

Anyone who expects justice to prevail in this country is looking for a needle in a haystack.

[Cnxforever]

I remember this case so well - it is just unbelievable that no progress has ever been made!

The Saudis - have gone about it totally wrong from the beginning thinking that if they made enough noise the Thais would have no choice but to come up with the culprits and the truth.

Instead some involved were imprisoned - the Police general sentenced to life imprisonment for the kidnapping and murder of the jewelers family.

The scandal was involving people in places and positions in Thailand who think they are above the law and the Saudis will get nowhere with their approach.

Remember a certain scandal many years before that? Two innocent people have been sentenced to death and have been executed just to stop certain rumors and protect those who knew what really happened? The truth can never ever be admitted now because of the 2 innocent people murdered!

A certain person will take this secret to his grave - and I hope - if there is a Buddhist hell - he will rot in hell forever for that crime - or be born again as a low life scum and people spitting on him !!!

If the Saudis would have asked me what to do I could have given them much better advise and they would know by now what happened to Mr. Al-Ruwaili - there is a way to get the truth from Thais even if the stakes are incredibly high.

The economic damage this case has done to Thailand is enormous - which explains the involvement of a certain circle of Thai society trying to keep the truth from ever coming out!

[clockman]

This incident realy shows what Thai people will do for money. I mean Saudis are no better. But the hypocrisy in Thailand needs exposing.

[alfalfa19]

This whole debacle would make a fantastic movie, if it had a satisfactory conclusion. That, however, is highly unlikely. It appears that the ability of a few hi-sos to wear the jewels in public far outweighs the financial damage to thailand, along with the ability to dispense any semblance of justice.

[Lupatria]

…rumour that some of the jewels - including the prestigious Blue Diamond - are currently in the possession of highly influential figures.

C’mon guys- skipped class in journalist school? I think you can do better than this after more than 20 years of intense research…

"We have told the Thai officials many times that our relationship will be back to normal if justice is done,"

He seems not to be aware of the new procedure here: NEXT WEEK, WE PROMISE!

[Bluespunk]

…rumour that some of the jewels - including the prestigious Blue Diamond - are currently in the possession of highly influential figures.

C’mon guys- skipped class in journalist school? I think you can do better than this after more than 20 years of intense research…

"We have told the Thai officials many times that our relationship will be back to normal if justice is done,"

He seems not to be aware of the new procedure here: NEXT WEEK, WE PROMISE!

To name the names concerned could be hazardous to one's health.

[dharmabm]

Instead some involved were imprisoned - the Police general sentenced to life imprisonment for the kidnapping and murder of the jewelers family.

but he is out, you know

[LomSak27]

The Thais will come up with a fall guy and throw him under the bus. Too bad. The Saudis should stand on their ground on these Thai crimes. The Saudis should never have stated we don't want the diamonds back.

The Thais have been coming up with various fall guys for 20 years and it has not satisified the Saudis. The Saudis are pretty certain about just who killed their diplomats and businessman and for that matter,who all has the gems. Until the Thais actually hit a guilty party nothing will come of it, and the last thing the Thais are going to do is actually name a guilty party. This of course has not stopped the Thais from testing the waters every 4 or 5 years. Last Time had Abhsit in his briet occupation of the PM's office claim the mysterious ABU was the guy. The Saudis did not bother to comment on that bizarre lie.

[Baerboxer]

This is a little stone in the shoe for Thailand ..... it has been on and on for decade ... I am pretty sure many people dont want the truth to come out ...

I think you are right.

In the GCC - business contacts in RSA, Qatar, UAE and Bahrain have mentioned this case too me numerous times. In 2010, 2012 and again several times last year.

That little stone ain't going away, no matter how hard Thailand tries to ignore it.

[bigbamboo]

I wonder where that blue diamond could be now........

Edited March 28, 2014 by bigbamboo

[ggt]

"This is our last hope to see justice," Mr. Alsheaiby said."

This from a country where hundreds of guest workers [slaves in reality] are killed, raped, assaulted and abused every year. Hypocrite.

The ill treatment of domestic workers...is an international problem...not just Saudi...

[Bluespunk]

"This is our last hope to see justice," Mr. Alsheaiby said."

This from a country where hundreds of guest workers [slaves in reality] are killed, raped, assaulted and abused every year. Hypocrite.

The ill treatment of domestic workers...is an international problem...not just Saudi...

And when other hypocritical countries get up into the pulpit and lecture others on justice I will post in a similar vein.

Edited March 28, 2014 by Bluespunk

[Johpa]

This whole debacle would make a fantastic movie, if it had a satisfactory conclusion. That, however, is highly unlikely. It appears that the ability of a few hi-sos to wear the jewels in public far outweighs the financial damage to thailand, along with the ability to dispense any semblance of justice.

I believe it has been well over 20 years since any of the major jewels in the heist have been seen in public adorning a buffont topped Thai madame with the last documented sighting having been at a social soiree in Hong Kong, which is where the real Thai elite goes to buy their gold.

[gamini]

250,000 -plus - thai workers were sending back over a billion a year (USD) in the 80s and greed of the police and elites killed it..

Gee I hope those Red supporters up in Issaan dont remember that

ooops

what have the elites got to do with this case?. or do you have some pet hatred against them? If so, you have so you have a real inferriority complex.

[aussieinthailand]

The DSI can't even figure out who is involved in the luxury car parts scam or what happened to the UN human rights lawyer, who disappeared , so how the hell is anything from 1989 , when the Junta was in power , going to be solved , DSI couldn't find their way out of a weeties box without following instructions.

Cheers you got it mate,,, clearly not a Weetbix man huh, how's ya Vegimite stash going?

the "influential people" will never be held to account, although some of the connected have paid the ultimate price for their greed and other person recently released from prison after many years...

much as Suthep for his destruction of the country.

[edwinchester]

250,000 -plus - thai workers were sending back over a billion a year (USD) in the 80s and greed of the police and elites killed it..

Gee I hope those Red supporters up in Issaan dont remember that

ooops

what have the elites got to do with this case?. or do you have some pet hatred against them? If so, you have so you have a real inferriority complex.

Google is your friend if you want a pretty good retelling of the case and the involvement of the elite of Thai society.

[LomSak27]

Gamini - well worth digging up articles about it - make yourself knowledgeable and all

It also has a lot to do with divisions in society - reds and yellows. Back when I worked in Thailand in the 80s the dream job for a poor thai was going to "Saoooodi"

Thats all gone now. Who caused it? Why would reds blame the yellows for this and hold it as an example of why they cannot trust 'those people'?

Questions Questions Questions

[cloghead]

I wonder where that blue diamond could be now........

It was reportedly seen hanging on the neck of an ex-PM's (Nov '96 - Nov '97) wife at some point in time

Edited March 28, 2014 by cloghead

[LomSak27]

You are wrong Cloghead ... the jewlery hanging from that neck was not the blue, another peice sure but not the blue .....

More than this we cannot say ... back to popcorn and watching the Squawks Rock the Broncos on replay central until we can download more NCAA Tourney games ..

[Hugh Jarse]

Instead some involved were imprisoned - the Police general sentenced to life imprisonment for the kidnapping and murder of the jewelers family.

but he is out, you know

Anyone interviewed him? A reporter from The NAtion newspaper perhaps.