JEDDAH, 18 April 2005 — Saudi security forces yesterday laid a siege to a housing compound in Dammam where a group of teenagers was holed up. Officials said the teenagers are not among wanted terrorists but are rather criminals operating in the region.
Al-Wifaq News portal reported that the young men are accused of committing a series of robberies, killing and attacks on cars and families in the area.
The siege started at noon yesterday and special forces were called in to take control.
During the siege, 17 teenagers were detained for questioning. Officials stated that the families and guardians of the 17 will be called in and those proven not involved in any crime will be set free. Categorized as “corrupt” people, they may face the death sentence if proven guilty.
Reports said that families and residents of the area have complained several times about young men gathering in groups and forming gangs to carry out assaults and other crimes.
Meanwhile in Qasim, Saudi forces arrested a suspect after he was spotted going back and forth to a rest house in Onaizah. There was no evidence so far to show that he was involved in any terrorist activity.
