RIYADH, 5 February 2007 — Parents of a six-year-old girl were pleasantly surprised when she returned home safely just a few hours after being kidnapped. The girl’s family was left distressed when a twin brother of the girl, identified as Rana, came rushing home in the evening to tell them that a stranger had kidnapped his sister when they were playing outside.
The father informed the authorities who then began a massive search arresting a number of individuals who fitted the description given by Rana’s brother. At 3 a.m. that same night police arrested the kidnapper — a young man in his 20s, reported Al-Riyadh newspaper.
Rana’s father, who preferred to remain unidentified, expressed his happiness and thanked the authorities for arresting the culprit. Describing the hours in which his daughter disappeared as “painful,” he said: “I am proud of the security forces. They were able to arrest the criminal in a short time. Thank God she is back... It was a hard time for her mother and other siblings.”
He added: “It was a real shock when my son came in screaming and telling us that Rana had been kidnapped. However, we were left relieved when she returned and the criminal was arrested.”
According to the father, Rana was able to identify the kidnapper in an identity parade and was also able to describe the car which was used to kidnap her. The kidnapper had used his taxi to kidnap the girl and was arrested when he came to drop her off close to her home.
Sami ibn Muhammad Al-Shuarik, a spokesman for the Riyadh police, said that the police received a telephone call from the girl’s father informing them that she had been kidnapped.
“Groups of policemen spread out in the area and undertook the necessary investigations. They were able to arrest the criminal at 3 a.m. He had arrived to drop the girl off close to her home,” said Al-Shuarik, adding that the case will go to court.
According to Dr. Sagr Al-Mukaiad, manager at the Naif Arabic University for Security Sciences, kidnapping is something that is not just particular to Saudi society but happens in other countries as well.
“Crime rates in the Kingdom, when compared to population levels, is not that high. Even the methods in which these crimes are committed are not variable. The population in Riyadh on its own is four million and a half and is spread out over 4,000 square kilometers. Twenty percent of Riyadh residents are non-Saudis. Most of them are overstayers and the majority of them are youth who are involved in criminal behavior,” said Al-Mukaiad.
“Victims often give criminals the opportunity to commit a crime. Some victims provoke criminals. There are other victims who suffer from health, mental and social problems. While some others fall victim because they are careless, lack education and trust individuals who cannot be trusted,” he said. “Therefore, there is a need to increase awareness among citizens. Women need to be especially careful, they shouldn’t walk by themselves and avoid suspicious places and areas that are badly lit.”
