JEDDAH: The police have formed a team to investigate the death of an Egyptian expatriate after he was attacked by robbers near the vegetable market in Sakaka recently.

Egyptian press reports have revealed that the victim, 37-year-old Ali Mahrous, originally hailed from the Qillah village in the Egyptian governorate of Bani Sueif.

Turki Al-Moweisher, Al-Jouf police spokesman, said: “The man was admitted to Prince Miteb bin Abdul Aziz Hospital at 9 p.m. on Thursday with major injuries to the left side of the head, swelling in the left eye and abrasions in different areas of the head. He succumbed to his injuries the following morning.”

A special team has been formed to probe the case, he said and assured that the culprits will be arrested.

The victim’s cousin, Ibrahim Al-Rifai, said that Mahrous, who worked in a vegetable store, was approached by two men who tried to rob him of his money. “While trying to escape, he was savagely attacked and left in a pool of blood. “ he said.

According to Al-Rifai, Mahrous had gone to the trash can one hour before his shift ended to dispose of damaged vegetables, where he was ambushed by the two men.

Egyptian news site Veto reported Mahrous tried to escape because he was in possession of four months’ salary, but was brutally assaulted.

Police and criminal investigators identified a SR100 bill steps away from the victim’s body, which they believe was dropped by the perpetrators as they escaped, while footprints indicate the direction in which they fled.

Mahrous has three children, a six-year-old suffering from polio, five-year-old, and a six-month old.

Mahrous’s uncle, Jaber Fareej, said he had come to the Kingdom nine months ago to earn a living. The family received news of his death from another relative and is yet to receive a call from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Saudi Embassy in Cairo, he said.