An Indian expatriate stabbed a young Saudi to death at a rest house on the Riyadh-Dammam highway, according to local media.

The victim, in his twenties, was found bleeding inside the facility’s kitchen with two severe stabs to his chest by security officials, who had been notified by the expat’s sponsor.

The Indian resident, who suffered head injuries, told investigators that this was an act of self-defense.

He said he was asleep inside one of the rooms when he was awakened by a person knocking at the door.

He said the man threatened to kill him with a pistol, took the money in his possession at gunpoint and beat him on his head with the back of the pistol. The man then fled to the kitchen, where he took out a knife and stabbed the victim.

Officials found both the pistol and the knife, sources said.

The expat has been transferred to hospital for treatment, after which he will be referred to the police center for further investigation.