JEDDAH, 30 November 2005 — A Saudi man died in a serious car crash on the Seaport Bridge in the south of Jeddah, Al-Madinah reported. The man was driving at high speed in the emergency lane when he lost control of his car. The vehicle crashed into the concrete barrier and the driver was thrown out of the car and killed.
Fines for Lack of Surgical Equipment
JEDDAH, 30 November 2005 — The Health Department in Jeddah has levied fines ranging from SR10,000 to SR100,000 on six different clinics, Al-Madinah reported. The clinics had performed surgery without the proper medical equipment. A source in the Health Department said the clinics were interested in profits at the expense of the patients’ health. The clinics targeted the city’s pregnant female overstayers who went to them in order to give birth. The department has promised tough action against the clinics.
Photography Banned Inside Holy Mosque
MAKKAH, 30 November 2005 — The head of the Holy Mosque Security in Makkah, Gen. Yousuf Matar, said there was a strictly-enforced regulation forbidding cell phone cameras from taking pictures inside the mosque. He said that violators would be punished. Gen. Matar said all preparations for the Haj season have been completed. He said more than 2,000 security officers would be deployed in the mosque complex.
Health Dept Told to Reinstate Employee
MAKKAH — A court in Makkah has ruled against the city’s Health Department which fired an employee who had worked for 11 months, Al-Watan reported. The court ordered the department to pay the employee SR30,000 in back salary and to reinstate him in his job. The court decided that the employee had been unjustly fired.
Counterfeiting Gang Arrested
RIYADH, 30 November 2005 — The secret police in Riyadh have arrested a gang attempting to smuggle counterfeit banknotes worth $1 million into the Kingdom, Al-Madinah reported. The police received secret information about counterfeit dollars being smuggled into the country; they monitored the activities of the gang and identified its members. An undercover policeman bought the counterfeit banknotes for SR200,000 and police then arrested the gang. The criminals are now in prison awaiting their court appearance.
