JEDDAH, 19 June 2003 — Saudi and Yemeni security forces have arrested two of the three men who helped a prisoner escape in Najran. The men had fled to Yemen after a shootout with Saudi Border Guards.
The escape took place in front of Najran General Hospital on Monday, local press reports said.
One of the men died in the shootout.
Maj. Gen. Abdullah Al-Ghamdi, commander of the Border Guards in Najran, confirmed the arrest.
“We sought the help of Yemeni security agencies to track down the men as directed by Najran Governor Prince Mishaal ibn Saud,” he said.
The arrested also included Jerwan ibn Hamad Al-Abdan, the prisoner, who was being investigated for smuggling a large quantity of hashish into the Kingdom.
Al-Watan identified two of the three suspects as Hadi Ali Al-Sulaiman and Dhafir Hamad Marhan. Dhafir, brother of Al-Abdan, died in the shootout.
The Arabic daily said Al-Abdan escaped from Najran with the help of three supporters, who drove him away in a car after shooting at security officers.
Prince Mishaal said Saudi security officers spread out immediately to capture the prisoner and his three supporters.
Police located the car of the four wanted men in Batra, close to the Yemeni border, with the help of helicopters. “We are in contact with the Yemeni authorities to get the two helpers and the prisoner extradited,” the governor said.
Prince Mishaal said no final judgment had been issued against the prisoner, who was under investigation for alleged involvement in drug smuggling.
