BAHA, 7 February 2008 — A 23-year-old Saudi reportedly committed suicide on Sunday inside Riyadh’s Al-Hayer Prison soon after he was moved there from a prison in Al-Dawadmi.
According to prison officials, the victim choked himself to death with a ghutra (the traditional Saudi head scarf for men).
A police source told Arab News that the young man from Baha was put in the Al-Dawadmi Prison a year ago after he was sentenced to jail on charges of vandalism.
The father of the victim said his son was involved in various problems, including burning cars and initiating conflicts with traffic police. He also picked up fights with other youths.
The father came to the capital and received his son’s body on Monday. He was buried in Riyadh later.
Speaking to Arab News, the father said that he used to advise his son to follow Islamic teachings, but the youth persistently rejected his advice.
“He was involved in different conflicts with neighbors,” said the father. “But he repented and turned into a good boy after he was sent to jail.”
