JEDDAH: The Egyptian suspect in the murder of a British man in an Alkhobar apartment on Wednesday is being treated at a private hospital for serious knife wounds on both of his hands, a source in the Eastern Province police said yesterday.
The Egyptian Embassy in Riyadh identified the man as Muhammad Mukhlis Shamsuddin, 28, who worked as a translator in the same company with the murdered Briton.
“The Egyptian, who was tracked down by the investigators to a private hospital, will be questioned after his health condition improves. Until then, he will remain in hospital,” the source told Arab News.
The Egyptian Embassy yesterday cautioned against making hasty conclusions about the killing. “The fact that the body of the Briton was found in their shared apartment does not alone stand as a solid proof that the Egyptian was involved in the murder, particularly when there are no witnesses,” Osama Khalil, deputy consul general at the embassy, told Arab News.
Khalil did not rule out the possibility that the actual culprits might have already been present in the apartment or that they came specifically to the building to commit the murder.
“All details about the murder would be uncovered in the coming days by the Saudi police,” he said.
Khalil said Shamsuddin was admitted to the intensive care unit of a private hospital in the city of Alkhobar after suffering acute bleeding from cuts in his hand and arm.
The police have not formally charged the Egyptian with murder, he said, adding that the embassy would appoint a lawyer to defend him if needed. “The man is unable to talk now. Officials from the embassy will be present during the questioning,” he said.
— With input by Faiz Al-Mazrouei
