JIZAN, 28 December 2007 — The family of a Saudi man, who was shot in the leg by an off-duty police officer, has filed a lawsuit against the officer and sent an official letter of complaint to Jizan Governor Prince Muhammad ibn Naser.

Drama unfolded when married man Ahmed, who was out walking with his wife at a park close to his home, was questioned and accosted by an off-duty police officer. “The man asked me who I was with and whether we were related. I told him that she was my wife and that we were relaxing in the park in the nice weather,” said Ahmed.

“He went away and came back five minutes later with two cars, one of which was a police car,” he added. Ahmed said he was again questioned and asked for ID, which he handed over. The officer then asked to see his family card. Ahmed told the officer that his family card was at home and that he lives close by.

The couple were then taken home in separate cars. On reaching home, Ahmed’s elder brother, Abdur Rahman opened the door and was surprised to see his sister-in-law and brother in police cars. “The off-duty officer asked for their family card. I asked him who he was to ask for their card. He hadn’t presented himself as an officer and did not show any ID,” said Abdur Rahman.

“As Ahmed went inside to get his family card his wife tried to follow him. The off-duty officer grabbed her hand and pushed her inside. This was very insulting and we refused to tolerate it. We wrestled with them to free my sister-in-law,” he added.

At that point, the off-duty police officer took out a knife and attacked the two brothers. However, Ahmed managed to disarm him, at which the officer took out a gun, firing two shots in the air and one at Ahmed injuring him in the leg. The officer then ran away.

Abdur Rahman said that then a uniformed officer came forward. “If the officer in uniform spoke from the beginning he could have solved the situation. The off-duty officer had no business to speak to us this way or insult my sister in law like that,” said Abdur Rahman.

Capt. Ahmad Al-Wadaani, official spokesman for Jizan police, declined to comment on the case saying the case is still under investigation.