JEDDAH, 22 December 2002 — An illegal Yemeni national stabbed a policeman in a downtown street near the gold souk here on Friday morning, Okaz reported yesterday.
Mohammed Al-Abdali was attacked while he was trying to stop the man he found moving about in a suspicious manner among the shops at 6 a.m. When Abdali tried to question him after grabbing his hand, the man in swift move stabbed the policeman.
The bleeding policeman fell on the ground while the attacker vanished amidst some old houses near the gold market. However, a police team combed the area thoroughly and arrested him inside an abandoned building.
Police found the man carrying some other weapons also on his person.
The attacker, who said his name was Sameer Ahmad Al-Howaish, did not possess any residence documents as he had entered the country illegally.
The surgeon at Suleiman Faqeeh Hospital, who operated upon Al-Abdali, said the policeman’s condition was stable though the cuts were deep and affected his liver and stomach.
Obaid Al-Abdali, grandfather of the policeman, said young Abdali was always keen to discharge his duties regardless of the risks involved.
He also thanked higher police officials who showed active interest in his recovery. Many police officials visited him at the hospital.
