RIYADH, 15 July 2006 — A man burned to death after the vehicle he was driving slammed into the back of a truck carrying gasoline on a highway overpass close to the Muthallath Mikhwat checkpoint, the daily Al-Jazirah reported yesterday. A passenger in the car also suffered serious burns. The truck driver survived without serious injuries when his vehicle was knocked over, spilling fuel on the highway.
Suspect Sought in Child-Rape Case
MADINAH, 15 July 2006 — Police are searching for an African man who allegedly raped a boy in Madinah’s Mogharab district, the daily Al-Watan reported yesterday. According to the police report, the boy was lured to a vacant house and sexually assaulted. The man later fled and the injured boy was found by passers by, who called the police.
Drug Smugglers Busted on Highway
TAIF, 15 July 2006 — Police arrested four people on the Taif-Riyadh highway after discovering a suitcase containing 500,000 Captagon tablets, Al-Jazriah reported yesterday. Captagon is the commercial name for the drug fenetyllene, a stimulant used to curb attention deficit disorders that is illegal in the Kingdom. The vehicle was stopped at a checkpoint on Thursday after police increased vigilance following a tip-off. Two of the people were charged with drug trafficking, which can lead to the death penalty.
Bootlegger Arrested for Partner’s Murder
TAIF, 15 July 2006 — An African suspected in the murder of a “business partner” has been arrested in Taif’s Al-Gaim district, the daily Al-Riaydh reported yesterday. According to the police, the man killed his partner over a dispute revolving around their illegal distilling operation.
