MAKKAH, 9 January 2008 — Nearly 70 people have been displaced after the owner of the building where they were residing evicted them, cutting power and water connections.
The residents of the building, which has 14 flats and located on Mansour Street, are now staying in the streets of Makkah. The owner, however, justified his action saying the building was to be demolished shortly for a new development project in the area.
About two months ago the owner demanded from tenants that they should pay him SR17,000 for each flat in annual rents instead of SR12,000.
Residents believe that the owner evicted them from the building when they refused to pay the increased amount, which is 35 percent more than the previous rent.
The owner gave the reason that the building would be expropriated for a development project in the area. He also said that the water and electricity were cut by the ministry, not by him.
In response to the request of residents, the owner finally agreed to allow them to stay in the building until they get alternative accommodation. But the residents will not be able to use the elevators.
Maj. Abdul Mohsen Al-Maiman, spokesman of the Makkah police, said the building owner should have presented his case to official authorities to study its genuineness before evicting tenants.
Mansour Abu Rayash of the National Society for Human Rights in Makkah called the owner’s action illegal and said the society would intervene upon request of the building’s tenants.
