JEDDAH, 19 December 2001 — The mother of a five-year-old girl who was shot dead by her father on the eve of Eid Al-Fitr in Ayn Shams town in Jamoum region said her husband is a chronic drug addict and denied that he is suffering from any mental disorders.
The woman, who is yet to recover from the trauma caused by the tragic incident in her family, was reacting to reports that said her husband had been suffering from psychosis — a combination of a number of mental illnesses, according to Al-Madinah newspaper.
The reports cited a preliminary medical report released by the hospital where the man is being treated. The report indicated that the man had been showing symptoms of schizophrenia and manic depression.
Dr. Muhammad Al-Barshi, duty doctor at the Hara hospital, said the woman had collapsed on the hospital floor when she heard about the death of her child.
The woman asked how a deranged person could work as an aviation engineer. Earlier reports had said the man worked as a soldier in Taif.
The bereaved mother remembered a peculiar look in her husband’s eyes the previous evening before he committed the horrific crime.
"On Friday, 29th of Ramadan, he came to me and asked for permission to take their children on a picnic to the desert next morning. I agreed despite my concerns for the safety of my children," said the mother.
"I had bought beautiful clothes for my baby for the Eid, but..." she mumbled. He used to beat them up without any provocation, she added.
The grief-stricken mother demanded a thorough investigation into the brutal murder. She also appealed to the authorities to protect her from her husband’s cruelties.
She feared for the safety of her son if his father was again allowed his custody.
Speaking about the life with her husband, the woman said the past three years were hell for them. "My body is full of bruises caused by his violent beatings."
She remembered that they had a very happy life in the first two years of their marriage. "Things began to change after he started demanding money from me to buy narcotics. I advised him several times to undergo treatment, but he did not listen," she added.
His only income is from his job, and his father is a disabled person, she said.
"Over the years, our relations deteriorated further and life became miserable. Since the beginning of Ramadan his brutality increased, and I fled the house with my children to my parents home in Makkah."
Police said investigations are continuing into the incident and the accused is still in hospital recuperating form self-inflicted bullet wounds.
In an unsuccessful attempt to commit suicide after killing his daughter and fatally injuring his son, the man fired twice into his chest.
Doctors at the King Abdul Aziz Hospital removed the two bullets lodged near his heart.
Describing the boy’s condition, Dr. Al-Barshi said: "Two bullets had pierced the upper part of his chest on the left and there are blood clots in his left lung."
The bullets have been removed and he is in intensive care, but his condition is likely to improve in a few days, he added.
