DAMMAM, 31 January — Prayers for the absent were held for 21-year-old Saudi student Abdulaziz Ibrahim Al Koohaji and his family began receiving condolences. The Saudi student is officially listed as missing by police in Denver, Colorado, but a police department spokesman admitted that the situation is very grave and there is little hope for his safe return.
This lack of optimism comes after reports that three Saudis colluded to kill Al Koohaji and leave his body in the desert in Nevada. Two of them, Mishael Al Suwaidi (29) and Tariq Al Dossary (21) returned to the Kingdom unaware that their crime had been discovered and they were promptly arrested.
Their housemate, Naif Al Yousef (23), attempted to flee in the United States. He was apprehended when he crashed his vehicle in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Saudi Embassy in Washington, D.C. is working closely with the Denver police and senior members of the Al Koohaji family are on the scene as well.
Nevada is an eight-hour drive over the Rocky Mountains from Denver. Authorities are now trying to determine the exact route used by the criminals so that a search for the deceased can be undertaken. It is thought that helicopters will be employed in the search because the Nevada desert is so vast.
Al Koohaji returned to the US on Jan. 10 after the Eid holiday. He should have gone back to his studies at the Community College of Denver but he never did. He was picked up at the Denver International Airport by a friend and taken to his apartment.
Since that time none of his friends or family have heard from him. Al Koohaji was a dutiful son and telephoned his mother daily. When his family did not receive a call from him for several days they became concerned.
Nearly three weeks ago he was reported missing to Denver police. After the initial investigation was begun by the Denver police, it quickly became apparent that there was reason to believe foul play was involved.
Surveillance video at the Wells Fargo Bank showed Saudi men withdrawing large sums of cash from Al Koohaji’s account but Al Kooheji was not present. In all, $20,000 was stolen from the account.
Al Yousef is being held by New Mexico police on a warrant for theft and forgery until further charges can be adequately substantiated. Six Denver police officers are assigned full-time to the criminal investigation working systematically to create a strong case that will be airtight in court. The Denver police spokesman made it a point to mention that Colorado does have the death penalty.
