Saleh Mitair Al-Anzi climbed to the top of a Ministry of Transport building in the area, threatening to jump. His children, officials and other spectators, managed to talk him out of killing himself.

Al-Watan reported that the 31-year-old had become desperate after failing to earn a living legitimately. His case has been submitted to the general court in Tabuk.

“All my hopes have been dashed thanks to the bureaucrats at the Transport Ministry in Tabuk,” he said. “They stopped me from transporting female teachers in a mini-bus I had bought with the help of my relatives to sustain my family and pay the rent. My landlord threatened to kick me out of my home because I had not paid the rent for many months.”

Al-Anzi said he had knocked on all doors looking for a job for himself or his wife, who has a bachelor’s degree in Islamic studies.

“She has been trying in vain for nine years to find a job,” he added.

Al-Anzi said his attempts to obtain a license to transport the teachers had also failed.

“I resorted to claiming social security but was told I was not eligible for monthly assistance,” he said.

He appealed to the Minister of Education to help his wife.

Saleh’s uncle Khalaf Ayyad Al-Anzi confirmed to Al-Watan that his relatives had helped him purchase a mini-bus to provide for his wife and three children, but he had become discouraged by the hurdles the ministry placed in his path.

Khalaf said Saleh was also facing fines of SR5,000, which had been paid by an anonymous citizen. The uncle expressed his appreciation for the mysterious benefactor.