RIYADH, 1 February 2008 — A nine-year-old boy died after falling into a manhole in the Al-Fawaz district of Riyadh. The boy was playing close to the manhole, which was kept open at the time by cleaning workers. Workers tried to rescue him unsuccessfully and called the Civil Defense. The boy was dead by the time Civil Defense workers took him out. Maj. Abdullah Al-Kafary, spokesman for the Civil Defense, said it was important for such places to be made safe. He also warned parents against letting their children play close to hazardous spots.
Maid Jumps From Apartment Window
RIYADH, 1 February 2008 — An Asian maid jumped out of an apartment window to escape from a Saudi man, whom she alleged had kidnapped her at a public mall and imprisoned her. The maid was taken to hospital having suffered several injuries, including a fractured pelvis. Maj. Sami Al-Shuayrakh, spokesman for Riyadh Police, said the man in question had been arrested. The man claimed he had brought the woman home to work as a maid.
EP Police Crack Down on Illegals
DAMMAM, 1 February 2008 — The Passport Department in the Eastern Province recently arrested 570 overstayers in a number of raids across the region, said a senior Passport Department official. “A bootlegger of an Asian nationality was also arrested,” he said, adding that another 55 people mainly Nepalese nationals, were arrested with fake iqamas. Sixty-four of those arrested were found to be Yemeni. Meanwhile, a man of African origin was arrested while trying to release his wife and children, who were arrested for overstaying their iqamas. The man was also discovered to be in possession of a forged iqama. (Faiz Al-Mazrouei)
