Minister of Justice: Forced indecency cases down by 50%.. Continuous review of the penal system
Justice Minister and Advisor Nasser Al-Sumeit announced a decline in the number of serious crimes registered before the Public Prosecution during the first half of 2026, compared to the same period last year, with kidnapping and crimes against honor and reputation leading the list.
Al-Sumeit stated that statistics from the Ministry of Justice showed a 45.5% drop in kidnapping cases, falling from 99 cases to 54, while crimes against honor and reputation decreased by 28%, from 168 cases to 121.
He added that crimes involving indecent assault by force, threat, or deception declined by 50%, from 76 cases to 38, while crimes of indecent assault by force fell by 26.3%, and crimes involving indecent assault on persons lacking capacity decreased by 30%.
Crimes involving the abduction of children from those with custody rights dropped by 45.3%, and kidnappings committed with intent to cause harm fell by 64.3%.
The Justice Minister clarified that these indicators coincide with ongoing efforts to develop the penal system and strengthen legal protection for society. He pointed out that a key legislative reform was the abolition of Article 182 of the Penal Code, which previously allowed for non-punishment of a kidnapper if he married his victim, provided the conditions specified in that article were met.
He noted that the new Law on Protection from Domestic Violence has enhanced penal protection for groups most vulnerable to abuse, by prohibiting the withdrawal of complaints, reconciliation with the offender, or granting pardon in cases of certain sexual assault and domestic violence crimes committed against children, persons lacking or partially lacking legal capacity, as well as crimes of violence committed by children against one of their parents.
Al-Sumeit affirmed that the government continues to implement the National Plan for updating the legislative system and reviewing penal and procedural laws, in order to strengthen the protection of rights and freedoms and consolidate security and the rule of law.
