MAKKAH: Angry residents in Makkah attacked three police officers who had come to evict them from their homes in the Al-Hijra district of the city.
Maj. Zaki Al-Rihaili, acting official spokesman for Makkah police, said, “The officers had arrived at a building to ask the residents to leave, as the buildings had been built illegally. The occupants, however, refused and said they owned the property.”
Al-Rihaili added that the officers suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to a nearby hospital. “Their attackers were arrested and we’re still questioning them.” Hospital sources said the officers suffered injuries and are expected to return to work soon.
Meanwhile, police arrested two African men who robbed a cafeteria in the Al-Mansour district of the city. “The two suspects forced their way inside the cafeteria, attacked workers and were then robbing the place when a police car, which was passing by, saw what was happening and came inside,” said Al-Rihaili, adding that the thieves then attacked the police in a bid to escape. “A police officer was forced to open fire at one of the suspects injuring him in the foot. Both men were then arrested,” he added.
In a separate incident, police arrested three wanted criminals at an abandoned home in the city. Makkah police is currently questioning the men.
Suicide probe
Police are investigating the case of a Yemeni national who reportedly committed suicide at the premises of the company where he used to work in north Jeddah.
A worker at the company discovered the man’s body and reported the death to police. Forensic experts and police officers attended the scene of the suicide to gather evidence. A large bottle of Clorox was found next to the body. Police said the man might have committed suicide. Investigations, however, are continuing.
Early reports revealed that the man was experiencing problems with his family in Yemen, something that might have caused him to commit suicide.
In a related incident, police arrested an Asian gang of gamblers in the Al-Ghulail district of the city.
