Saudi diplomats in Sudan getting death threats
By IANSThursday, May 27, 2010
RIYADH - Diplomats of Saudi Arabia in Sudan have been getting death threats through text messages on their mobile phones, a media report said here Thursday.
Staff at the kingdom’s embassy in Khartoum have been told to remain vigilant after they repeatedly complained about receiving threats from unidentified persons. The latest recipient of the message was Vice Consul Wajih Masoud, reported Saudi Gazette.
“I received a text message on my mobile phone saying ‘we will assassinate you before you leave Khartoum’,” Masoud said.
“I approached the Sudanese government as soon as I received the message and they have given me protection at home but not during travel to the embassy. The Sudanese government is investigating the number from which the threatening message came.”
Masoud said that his staff were concerned due to repeated threat messages.
“There were similar threats against the Consul a year ago and against the Cultural Attaché two months ago,” he said.
Media Affairs chief Osama Al-Nuqali from the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the threats were being taken seriously.
“All threats of this nature are treated seriously and the authorities in the host country are immediately informed in order to investigate and take the necessary security measures,” Al-Nuqali said.
