JEDDAH, 29 November 2005 — Four innocent people in Jizan — two Saudis and two Yemenis — have been in jail as a result of an inconclusive investigation into the murder of a Yemeni seven years ago, Al-Watan reported. The four men sent a letter to the newspaper, saying that they were innocent and asking for justice.
According to the paper, the police only recently arrested the real criminals. It said the four had confessed under duress. The authorities have not yet released the innocent men — Kurdi Ahmed Waled, Ibrahim Tarshi, both Saudi, and Hadi Muhammad Mubarak and Muhammad Ali Taher, both Yemeni. They were arrested near the end of 1419 A.H. and have been held since then.
Kurdi, who was a policeman in Beesh in southern Jizan, said he was surprised when two colleagues came to arrest him about two months after the crime that took place in Azama village. He said he admitted to the crime under intense pressure. His father lodged a petition with the Jizan governorate explaining that his son was innocent of the crime and had been forced to confess. A special panel then found that the gun taken from Kurdi did not match the bullets police found at the scene of the crime.
Kurdi’s imprisonment has caused his family many problems. His mother collapsed when she saw him in chains; she has lost her sight. His father has developed diabetes and hypertension and his wife suffers from psychiatric problems.
Last year a court in Jizan sentenced Kurdi to 14 years imprisonment and 3,000 lashes, Ibrahim to 12 years and 2,500 lashes, Muhammad 11 years and 2,500 lashes and Hadi to 7 years and 2,500 lashes. The sentences ran from Dul Qaada 11, 1419, which was the day the four were arrested.
Police have finally arrested those responsible for the crime. They also have seized the gun used. The criminals stole the gun from a Saudi who later reported to the police that his gun was missing.
According to Al-Watan, two brothers were involved in the crime and one of them had been jailed previously for killing the employee of a gas station in Beesh.
One of the two men admitted that he had stolen five different types of guns and caches of ammunition in addition to jewelry and a good amount of money seven years ago.
He said the murder had actually taken place following an argument between his brother and a Yemeni family who were living in the Kingdom illegally.
He said his brother, who was drunk on cologne, opened fire at the Yemenis, killing one and injuring two others. Both brothers then fled to Yemen after hiding the weapons. When police searched the hiding place, they found guns, ammunition and bottles of cologne.
