Clandestine group attacks Saher, defrauds medical firms

Anarchists are nothing new but anarchists in Saudi Arabia are, indeed, a new phenomenon. Curiously (and stupidly) a Saudi anarchist group calling itself Solidarity Against Regulations has chosen the Saher traffic management system, designed to put a stop to the death and destruction on Saudi roads, as its primary target.
Among other tactics, the group attempts to avoid Saher cameras by concealing their license plates or using warning signs and reflective stickers on the numbers.
One young Saudi said he has worked on an electronic program that detects Saher cameras just before the system spots the traffic offender.
The young man, who preferred to remain anonymous, said such practices build a kind of solidarity among Saudi youth. “It is stark evidence of our refusal to comply with certain laws,” he said. “These laws are not in the interests of citizens. They are further constraints on simple citizens such as ourselves.” He said that the Saher system represents a “mean and unpleasant way to stalk drivers.”
Another young man, Adel bin Abadi, agrees.
“I personally encourage every driver to circumvent this system with every possible means at his disposal.”
He said he warns other drivers whenever he spots Saher cameras. “I am not alone in doing this, the majority of drivers do so.” He said that he formed a group specializing in detecting cameras. He expects this protest movement to result in huge losses for Saher. Campaigns against Saher are organized on social networking sites and chat rooms on the Internet.
Makkah Traffic Department spokesman Lt. Col. Fawzi Al-Ansari said action will be taken against anyone involved in such activities. “Violations of this kind are referred to a department called the Commission for Traffic Fines,” he said. “Penalties may include fines and impoundment of vehicles.”
Some members of this group are also defrauding medical insurance companies by filing false claims.
An official at a major health insurance company said he has had dealings with members of this group. “We have tried in vain to fight all their fraudulent practices, such as bypassing regulations, extending medicines to people who are not included on insurance schemes and using other people’s medical cards,” he said. He said they are always finding new ways to steal from the company.