JEDDAH, 30 July 2006 — A gunman who attacked Hail education director last week surrendered to security authorities yesterday after police tracked him down following the dramatic incident, a senior police officer said yesterday.
“As a result of the combined efforts of security officers and after tightening the noose around him, the attacker surrendered to security authorities on Saturday,” Brig. Fahd ibn Nasser Al-Hoshan, acting director of police in the Hail region, told the Saudi Press Agency.
Al-Hoshan did not disclose the name or nationality of the man who attacked Othman Al-Amer on July 24. However, he said the man has been taken into custody “to complete the investigation process and hand him over to relevant authorities for trial.”
According to security sources, police had launched a massive search for the man by deploying ground and aerial teams which combed the southern parts of Hail with the cooperation of people in the region. The attacker was on the run till Friday when police intensified the manhunt in areas where he was believed to be hiding.
The alleged gunman forced himself into the car of Al-Amer at around 2 p.m. on Monday and made him drive with the machine gun held to his head. While driving, Al-Amer noticed a patrol car and parked his car directly behind the police vehicle.
When police came out to investigate they saw the kidnapper holding Al-Amer hostage. While police were negotiating with the hostage-taker, Al-Amer made a dash from the car but the man shot him in the thigh. A scuffle ensued and the officers managed to disarm the assailant who then escaped.
Al-Amer was taken to King Khaled Hospital where surgeons removed the bullet from his thigh.
Police were investigating the relationship between Al-Amer and his assailant to ascertain whether the hostage taking was a random crime or due to personal rivalry between the two.
According to informed sources, Al-Amer has been transferred to King Fahd Medical City, a super specialty hospital in Riyadh, where doctors said his condition was improving day by day.
Meanwhile, Prince Muqrin, director of intelligence, telephoned Al-Amer on Friday to get reassured about his health. The education director received a similar call from Deputy Interior Minister Prince Ahmed.
Al-Amer’s family has extended its thanks to Hail Governor Prince Saud ibn Abdul Mohsen for following up his case and for his efforts to bring the assailant to justice.
