RIYADH: Ministry of Interior Saudi Arabia on Friday granted citizenship to Indian religious scholar Dr. Zakir Naik, who is believed to be currently staying in the Kingdom.
Naik, 51, was granted the nationality after Saudi King Salman intervened into the matter in order to protect the preacher from arrest by the International Police Organisation, Interpol.
Naik left India last year after some perpetrators of the Dhaka terror attack claimed they were inspired by him. Indian courts issued a second arrest warrant for the scholar in connection with his alleged role in a terror-related case. He also faces money laundering allegations.
Indian media reported that the country’s enforcement officials were moving to revoke his passport and request Interpol issue an arrest warrant for him.