The GPIC made the recommendation after ongoing investigations revealed that Jeddah police had filed rape charges against the man seven years ago. A number of committees comprising representatives of the GPIC as well as intelligence agencies have been set up to carry out investigations into the charges. Initial investigations have revealed that the man is a known criminal.

The man, who is in his 50s, was arrested on May 11, 2010, after it was found that he had impersonated a lawyer to cheat several people, especially destitute women. Claiming he has a doctoral degree in law, the man had illegally set up a lawyer’s office in Taif.

He had engaged in other businesses, including the sale of cars and foodstuffs. The man hoodwinked women into thinking he has excellent rapport with government officials and businessmen. He managed to lure a large number of women to his office on the pretext of helping them.

He also hired a number of taxi drivers to find women who visit charities looking for help. The drivers would convince these women that they knew a man who could help them and even support them financially.

The man was caught by members of the Commission for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (Haia) after a woman complained that the man was blackmailing her after taking her picture with a mobile phone. The man had tried to force the woman to have a sexual relationship with him by threatening to circulate her picture. The man has been in Taif Central Jail since then.

A source told Arab News that the man worked earlier as a teacher at an intermediate school in Taif. He was sacked from the job for perverted homosexual behavior and was in prison for some time. He has also been in jail after being convicted of attacking a policeman. The man was earlier convicted of harassing women and received lashing.

Investigations have shown that at least 15 criminal cases are pending against him in Saudi courts. These include a charge of approaching Taif Mental Health Hospital with false claims that he is the authorized lawyer of women employees at the hospital, forging documents to open a lawyer’s office and practicing as a lawyer without a license. There are also charges of spreading slanderous claims about a number of women resulting in their marriages breaking down.