Eyewitnesses said that the young men who were in a Hyundai car forced the man's Toyota Hilux to stop near Sadhan Center, pulled him out of the car and stabbed him several times, Sabq online newspaper reported.

Another eyewitness claims to have heard a shotgun being fired. The victim, who is thought to be a lawyer, was rushed to hospital where his condition was said to be stable. It is thought the man was working on a case involving one of his attackers.

Abdullah Al-Nasiri, head of the Arab Lawyers Network, described the incident as unfortunate. He also expressed his concerns, adding that there is a need to form an official body that could represent and protect lawyers.

"We have been calling for a union, body or association that looks after the interests of lawyers for a long time and nothing is happening," said Al-Nasiri. "When a lawyer is targeted like this, then there is no one to stand up for him."

No one from the police was available for comment.