LONDON, June 14: A landmark ruling that gave four men the right to sue foreign officials who allegedly tortured them while they were held in Saudi Arabian jails was overturned by Britain’s highest court on Wednesday.

The House of Lords allowed an appeal by Saudi Arabia against a Court of Appeal decision in Oct 2004, which had effectively removed blanket immunity for officials from foreign states accused of serious crimes like torture.

Saudi Arabia, supported by the British government, had argued that its officials were protected by the State Immunity Act from proceedings brought in Britain.—AFP

Opinion

Editorial

A difficult story
12 Jun, 2026

A difficult story

WHILE launching the Economic Survey 2026, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb told a hopeful story of economic...
Politicised football
12 Jun, 2026

Politicised football

ALMOST three-and-half years since Lionel Messi led Argentina to FIFA World Cup glory, the latest edition of...
Rough waters
12 Jun, 2026

Rough waters

AMONGST the key potential triggers for fresh conflict in South Asia is water. The Indian state is behaving in an...
GB polls’ aftermath
Updated 11 Jun, 2026

GB polls’ aftermath

The new administration must address the region’s issues proactively.
Peace in retreat
11 Jun, 2026

Peace in retreat

THE ceasefire announced in April was supposed to create space for negotiations. Instead, it has been repeatedly...
A few good men
11 Jun, 2026

A few good men

IT was a brave move, no doubt. This Tuesday, in the land of the Afghan Taliban, a few good men decided to take a...